Maureen’s idea for a stroll
Maureen Robinson’s ramble suggestion this week takes in the grandeur of Scalby village and its ancient church.
Scalby is a pleasantly situated village about three miles North West of Scarborough. The ancient church was built chiefly in Early English styles and warrants a visit in itself.
Start from the Nag’s Head, the public house in the village’s centre. Walk up the High Street towards the church. On the corner opposite the Nag’s Head you’ll see the Temperance Hall on the site where the old village stocks once stood, and the village pound close by used to impound straying animals.
On your left hand side, the first property you see is Lancaster Cottage built of fine, hand-made bricks. The Duchy of Lancaster owns a good deal of land both in and around Scalby village.
Next, beneath a handsome sycamore tree, are seats for relaxation near the fountain, presented to Scalby to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee on June 20, 1897.
Cross over High Street to see The Vicarage. You’ll observe a row of lime trees leading to St Laurence’s Church, named the Twelve Apostles. The church is the oldest remaining building in Scalby, and the clock has gilded faces on the east and west of the tower. What a handsome lychgate! Do view the church at leisure.
Below St Laurence’s Church are the Church Rooms which were built as a school in 1828. Rebuilt in 1861 it now serves as a popular social centre. Walk down to the village green, and enjoy a spot of relaxation here.
Cross the road bridge, with the village green to your left, and across the road to your right is Low Hall, now a miners’ convalescent home. Go left beside the road to follow the path of the Church Beck. Some interesting wild flowers flourish here in season. Look for a splendid weeping beech tree at the end of the beck too.
Church Beck leads to the Sea Cut. Here, cross the road bridge and turn left onto the south bank. The level path is a popular walk alongside the Sea Cut. You may spot a heron or kingfisher along this stretch, as they have fishing rights! The Cut was created in 1800 to take excess water from the River Derwent. This has helped prevent flooding in Forge Valley etc.
Take binoculars for viewing a variety of wildlife in this area.
At the far end of the Sea-Cut is Newby Bridge and the A171 Scarborough-Whitby road. Walk back up towards Scalby village on the right hand verge, and you reach a grand recreation area. There’s the creamwalled Parish Hall, bowling greens and tennis courts in a pleasant setting near the car park well worth a visit.
Next, cross the busy main road from the Parish Hall to find a signed public footpath along a ginnel. Quite a contrast and mysterious. This guides you back to the village and emerges at the bottom of South Street. Near the far end of the footpath, on your right is all that remains of Scalby’s last thatched cottage, which I once visited.
Bear to the left here to the top of Tibby Butts to see Scalby Hall with an imposing frontage of grey stone. A small gatehouse guarded the entrance at Newby Bridge. Painted blue and white, you possibly noticed it en route.
Walk back towards the village and turn left into Low Street. The Manse is a fine example of Georgian architecture. Next is Home Farm, which I believe used to have a pump.
Turn back along Low Street, and at its far end turn left towards the village centre. There used to be two or three smithies on South Street and North Street.
Walk to the top of South Street and turn right at the Nag’s Head, which is the oldest of the remaining pubs in this village.
The Gatehouse was once used as a stable for a Holt. There’s an old well inside, said to be 20ft deep and 4ft across. Remember, there was a time when all the villagers relied on water drawn from such wells.
The next building was built by Christopher Keld - almshouses for four of the poorest widows or widowers. They consisted of four self-contained rooms, with two on the ground floor and two above.
The Holt is the last building on this side of the High Street. Across the road is Yew Court, built in 1742. It was built with windows, to allow food to be handed to nuns who were on their way from Bridlington Priory to Whitby Abbey. You may have seen beautiful paintings by John Atkinson Grimshaw of Yew Court. They are most impressive.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this walk, and are now seeking refreshment to complete your visit. Refreshment: The Nag’s Head, The Plough Inn, and the Yew Tree opposite the Nag’s Head, and Scalby Stores. Toilets: Near the Yew Tree. Footpaths and terrain: Good throughout.