East Yorkshire woodland walk perfect for an autumn stroll
THERE ARE LOTS OF PATHS AND TRAILS THROUGH THE WOODS
WITH autumn now arrived, the e exposed hills and coastal walks become less appealing as the colder weather draws in.
But landscape comes into its own at this time of year.
Woodland not only provides s shelter from the wind and rain, but t the transformation of the leaves into o the amazing technicolour of gold, , brown, yellow and red can be truly y stunning.
Alas, while East Yorkshire has s plenty of beautiful countryside and coastline, woods and forest are not a strong point.
There are pockets of lovely wood- land at the likes of Millington, , Raywell and Houghton, but we are e not blessed like North Yorkshire.
However, near Pocklington is a woodland worth a visit this autumn.
Allerthorpe has towering pine trees and the site is still used for logging by Forestry England, but there are also plenty of deciduous trees, which will provide that unique autumnal splash of colour.
There are plenty of interweaving paths and trails through the woods, but the walk I went on took me on a circuit around the woods before diving back in.
You need to make your way to Common Lane and there is a car park on the corner and also plenty of smaller lay-bys you can park up.
At the car park there is a bridleway opposite which takes you into the woods. Keep going straight on and ignore the large track to the left. Carry on along the path with fields on the right.
The ground is mossy underfoot and there is a fresh feel to the air.
After a while you will come to a small clearing and there is a kissing gate, which takes you out into the fields along a sandy path.
This sudden open landscape with big skies and wide horizons is in stark contrast to the dark and somewhat eerie woods.
At this time of the year, there will be much activity in the fields with harvesting, depending on the crops.
Carry on along the path you will pass Warren Farm Cottages and move along
Waplington.
You will eventually come to the e grandly names Waplington Hall but, t, while a pretty setting, the building is obscured somewhat by high walls ls and is hardly Downton Abbey.
At the end of the track you reach the village of Allerthorpe. Turn left here and you come to the Plough Inn.
By the side of the pub on the left is a lane. Carry on along here and bear ar left and it will take you into Tank k Plantation.
The odd name is apparently due ue to a tank which sank on the area and d was lost during a military exercise.
The plantation has a calming ng influence with a serene atmosphere. e.
After a while you go through a gate te and you reenter Allerthorpe Woods ds where the trees are notably bigger.
On your right you will notice a clearing with lots of heather.
I took the opportunity to have a stroll through which, at the time (late August), was full of bees and butterflies.
It was a truly beautiful little diversion from the main walk. I just ambled through the heather for around ten minutes before looping back onto the track.
At this point you can take the main tr track directly back to the start or a farm track towards ds head north and through the smaller tracks, which are more rewarding and bring you closer to nature and the sense of woodland bathing.
If you carry on the main track you will end up where you started, otherwise you may just come out further up in Common Lane and then you just walk back down.
This was a great summer walk which provided shelter from the sun, but as the foliage thins out and the leaves turn it will be even more spectacular.
GETTING THERE: Head the A1079 and carry on through Shiptonthorpe and Pocklington.
Ignore the signs to Allerthorpe itself and carry on past Barmby Moor until you reach Sutton Lane on your left.
Carry on down until you reach Common Lane on your left and travel until you reach the car park. PARKING: There is a car park at the start point and lay-bys along Common Lane. along right past