Fridaythorpe to Thixendale

1. Park near the village pond in Fridaythorpe along Back Street and on the kerb not the green, being careful not to block access and then head up Thixendale Road straight ahead (with the beacon on your left). This is a quiet road but you will need to keep dogs on a lead for now. 

2. Just before the agricultural buildings turn left at the signpost for the Yorkshire Wolds Way and Thixendale. Follow this footpath (where Bill had a nice initial roll) and it soon opens up with lovely views of Brubber Dale.

3. The path swings right to walk along the top of Brubber Dale for a while. Bill found an abandoned ball here and so wanted to play for this stretch until we 'lost' it! Then head down into the valley staying on the obvious path and follow it to the gate, where there is one of the Wolds Way acorn way-markers.

8. Cross straight over the quiet road onto the footpath the other side and follow the path out onto a wide-open stretch (very breezy when we were there) with farmland and big open views on either side. 

9. The path comes to the edge of Thixen Dale and a lovely carved wooden sign for dew ponds. 

Dew ponds in the Yorkshire Wolds are artificial ponds filled with rainwater that were created in the 18th and 19th centuries to provide water for livestock living in the dry landscape of the High Wolds. They are being recreated today so that, whilst few are used by livestock, they are a haven for wildlife and an important historic feature of the landscape. 

10. Go through the gate here and you will see one such dew pond on your right, where you can take some time to explore the signage and see if you can spot any wildlife here, such as waterbeetles, smooth newts (in the spring and summer), frogs, dragonflies and field voles.

13. The Wolds Way path eventually emerges out into fields either side which heads down to a quiet road at the end. Turn right at the road. If, however, you fancied a quick detour turn left and you will come to the Robert Fuller gallery in 1/4 mile. Here, as well as enjoying his fabulous paintings you could use the facilities and have a cup of coffee.

14. Heading right you will come to Thixendale in 1/2 mile taking the road left into the village. Just a note that heading along the road we noticed some round brown markers on gates which we now know to mean that this land is open access. (if you see these markers with a line through then it's no access)

In England and Wales, we have a network of footpaths which everyone has the right to walk on. We also have the right, in certain places, to walk off these paths, across privately owned land. This is known as open access. Open access gives you the chance to walk freely, explore wild, open landscapes and find your own way.  Open access land is marked on OS maps as a yellow wash, and coastal margin is marked as a magenta wash. 

15. Once in Thixendale you could walk straight on and have a wander about, as it is a lovely village with some very interesting interpretation boards about the history of the village next to the Village Hall.

The Hall is open most Sundays from 11am to 4pm for light refreshments. Volunteers from the village serve tea/coffee/juices and a variety of scones and home-baked cakes. You could also visit the Cross Keys Inn for a drink and a bite to eat at weekends from 12 to late (from 6pm Mon & Thurs / from 4pm Fri) (dogs are allowed in the beer garden)

16.  Once you are refreshed and had a wander, head back to the start of the village and the Cross Keys pub. This is a dead-end road that is signposted 'No turning area ahead and is signposted the Centenary Way.

20. Eventually this roadway comes to Gritts Farm and a quiet road that heads back to Thixendale if you turn right and Fridaythorpe if you turn left. This is where we came a bit of a cropper as I mistakenly turned right instead of left and added a rather steep descent and then re ascent and about 1.5 miles to our route - so TURN LEFT!! 

21. But now you can just follow the road all the way back to Fridaythorpe (noting the interesting World War II memorial at the side of the road). 

The stone commemorates those lost in the crash of 466 (RAAF) Sqn Halifax NR179 HD-C close to this location, on the night of the 3rd March 1945. The aircraft had departed from Driffield for Kamen, Germany, but on return and awaiting permission to land Luftwaffe aircraft were sighted. The bomber was ordered to leave the area as the runway lights had been turned off. As the aircraft climbed away to search for an alternative destination, it was almost immediately shot down and crashed near to Fridaythorpe. Four of the crew were killed, and three were injured.

In Fridaythorpe you can explore further, including the bus shelter at the pond which is another WANDER art installation, or the fascinating St Mary's Church, or head off to Seaways cafe for a well-earned cup of tea and cheese toastie.