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
Shadforth
Beginning in the quaint village of Shadforth; outside the brightly coloured, and quirky Farmers Arms, the walk leads you through the heart of the village and out into the open countryside where views of open pastures roll across the valley to the South and North of the county. Across to the other side in the distance chalk hills are visible in neighbouring Sherburn Hill, after wandering past the abandoned quarry and through the valley you will arrive at the foot of the magnesian limestone chalk hills, an area of special scientific interest. The next part of the journey takes you into grasslands teaming with wildlife. Slow down, absorb the silence and see if you can spot an endangered water vole in the Shadforth Beck.
*Please be mindful of local residents when parking in the village. We have been advised that the most appropriate place to park is around, but not on the village green.
Distance: 5.4 km (3.35 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆