

1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆

Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel

1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆

Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel

21. The Richmond Ramble
Date: 19/07/2021
Meeting Point: Nuns Close Car Park, Hurgill Road, Richmond, DL10 4AF
A lovely stage beginning in the picturesque Yorkshire market town of Richmond. We follow the River Swale south-east out of town, as the trail alternately takes us through woodland and across open countryside.
We pass the ruins of Easby Abbey, which was dissolved by Henry VIII during the reformation. Soon after that, we cross the Swale and start back towards Richmond, before heading westwards through undulating countryside, crossing the Swale once again, then curving round Low and East Applegarth.
From here we descend back into Richmond, enjoying views of both Richmond Castle and Richmond Falls. A very pleasant and enjoyable river walk through scenic countryside, and one of the less taxing stages of the Trek.
Distance: 17.1 km (10.63 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★☆☆☆