This is a walk of no more than 4 miles beneath the steep wooded slopes north of Sutton bank, but high enough for extensive views over the Vale of York.

Park at a large lay-by on the right of the narrow road from Thirlby to Boltby (OS Explorer map OL26 North York Moors Western Area, reference SE491854), about ¼ mile beyond two right-angle bends.

The walk. 

1.     (map ref. 491854) Set off along the road south towards Thirlby for 400m and turn left onto a tarmac farm drive towards Greendale Farm.  Continue on this drive over a ford at Ravensthorpe Mill to Tang Hall Farm. [850m]

2.     (495850) Immediately after the farm buildings, take the bridleway on the right and follow it to the side of a valley and continue downhill and below Southwoods Hall to a wooden signpost indicating a bridleway to the left.  The bridleway initially follows the drive to the Hall then continues with a fence to the left then on a path through several gates to a bridleway gate by a wooden signpost which points the bridleway to the right.  [1300m]

3.     (503845) Go through the gate, turn left and follow the track alongside the wall and pick up the path that turns left through a gate downhill alongside a paling fence and by way of gates and stiles to a grass field sloping up towards some trees.  Continue following waymarks through a thin belt of trees and eventually to a stile near Greendale Farm. [800m]

4.     (500853) Cross a field above the farm and turn right at a wooden signpost, alongside a stream bed uphill into a wood.  Follow the path along the edge of the wood and continue up, then down, until the muddy path emerges from the wood at a gate onto a grass field. [650m]

5.     (499859) Cross a stream bed and turn left downhill to a track between 2 fences.  Follow this track to the village of Boltby. [1100m]

6.     (492866) Turn left onto the main village road and, after the footpath crosses a small stone bridge, turn left onto a path across fields for half a mile to the Boltby to Thirlby road.  Turn left and continue a short distance to the car park. [1200m]