Wetherby & Linton (9 Miles)

A gentle 9 miler for all abilities. This walk takes in the market town of Wetherby, the delightful village of Linton as well as Stockeld Park and the Ebor Way.

The walk starts in the free car park underneath the impressive Wetherby bridge. Here you have the opportunity to enjoy the weir and some local art, then head across the bridge out of town, following the river towards the sports centre and fields. A small footbridge then takes you down into a well kept park and across to Wetherby Golf Course (watch out for golfers). The public right of way across the golf course is very well signed and easy to follow.

On leaving the golf course you join Linton Lane and after a short road walk into the village of Linton itself you will pick up the Ebor Way. Do look out for the Linton Book exchange a converted telephone box. Little is known of the early history of Linton, but archaeologists have dated more than 8000 local flints to between 10,000 and 2000 BC, and crop marks around the village point to ditched enclosures and field systems in the Iron Age.

Once on the Ebor Way you head down the road to the Wood Hall Hotel and Spa. It is on this path that you start to pick up some great views across the Wharfe valley towards the Chevin and Ilkley moor. You can also enjoy views of Collingham and the surrounding countryside.

You are now heading for the village of Sicklinghall (referred to in the Domesday Book as "Sidingale"), the village boasts two ponds, a pub and two churches. It is at Sickinghall that you will join the back path into Stockeld park (a Grade-I listed country house and estate), and whilst the estate covers some 2000 acres you are only there for a short while.

Through Stockeld Park, across the A661 and through a small farm and you find your self on the National Cycle Route #67 (a converted railway line). This path takes you back to Wetherby via the old Wetherby Train Station (now a car park), where you can pick up the footbridge back to the car park.

All in all a great walk with some lovely scenery and picturesque villages on the way. Good paths, signage and parking throughout.