Quietly wild valley
Explore the gentle folds and crystal-clear ponds of this hidden gem in the Yorkshire Wolds, a sanctuary rich with wildlife and heritage, says Chris Gee
Given Dale, Yorkshire Wolds
Despitesmall island living withon a a big population, it’s still possible to escape the crowds and seek solitude when required. When I want to get away from the masses, I head straight for the Yorkshire Wolds.
One of the county’s bestkept secrets, this peaceful landscape of dry, glaciercarved valleys is freckled with flocks of grazing sheep and prize-winning cattle.
A HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE
Within the Wolds lies a hidden gem: Given Dale, a short valley dotted with ponds, each fed by crystal-clear spring water filtered through the underlying chalk. The Minster Way runs through this little valley to the junction with Whitekeld Dale, where Ridings Beck spills into Whitekeld Beck. Head west and that same path offers a stunning view across the Vale of York, the towers of York Minster standing head and shoulders above all else.
Given Dale is a wildlife haven too, and you’re just as likely to see a stoat step out of the woodland cover and dart across your path as you are a roe deer. Buzzards and red kites soar overhead and the hedgerows are alive with the sound of yellowhammers and tree sparrows.
Nestled within this small dale and embowered in autumn trees is the tiny church of St Ethelburga (rebuilt in 1849), one of only two named after the 7th-century abbess. The churchyard is home to the valley’s first spring aconites and snowdrops, but it is in November, when the autumn colours take hold, that this place becomes truly special.
FARMING IN HARMONY
This landscape was managed by farmer and conservationist Richard Fuller through the late 1970s and 1980s. He helped create the ponds below the church and it’s a testament to his legacy that this is one of the best spots in the Wolds to seek out a wildlife encounter. His book, Givendale: A Farm in Harmony with Nature, now out of print, is well worth the read if you can find a copy.
Richard’s son, wildlife artist Robert Fuller, clearly takes after his father, for much of the work in his gallery at nearby Thixendale is also inspired by the Given Dale landscape
When I’ve spent some time relaxing in this special place, I head to nearby Millington to warm up in the Ramblers’ Rest tea room with a pot of tea and a slab of homemade cake. If I’m especially hungry, the adjacent Gait Inn offers a fabulous Sunday roast with Given Dale beef and giant Yorkshire puddings.