Day 4: Croft-on-Tees to Richmond

This is a varied walk with a spectacular end. The first 4.5 miles of the route to North Cowton is quite intricate as we cross farmland, lots of fields and stiles, passing right by the Croft Motor Racing Circuit. North Cowton has no church so we have arranged a stop in the village hall. After North Cowton, we take a bridleway for 2.5 miles, passing woods and with wide open views, and then a quiet straight road leads us to a prayer stop in Scorton. Soon after Scorton, we start following a path along the River Swale, diverting away from it for a late lunch in the very large The Farmers Arms. After lunch we follow the riverside path under the A1(M) and to reach a prayer stop in Brompton-on-Swale. Then it is tracks and paths and a bit of road to reach the ruins of Easby Abbey and a prayer stop in the adjacent church. A stretch along or close to the river takes us to the famous Richmond Waterfall and then beneath the defences of Richmond Castle. Finally we ascend a long flight of steps to reach the large market square of Richmond from where it is a short walk to the hall.

Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 4

Click on any photo to see a full resolution version thereof.

Croft Village Hall,Croft-on-Tees

Croft Village Hall is very small, which is why pilgrims also slept in St Peter's Church John Chenery

St Peter, Croft-on-Tees

The original Cheshire cat Aidan Simons

Lewis Carroll memorial, Croft-on-Tees Aidan Simons

St Peter's, Croft-on-Tees, in daylight Aidan Simons

Croft Motor Racing Circuit

After passing the motor racing cricuit, we headed across the fields - thankfully harvested but also lightly ploughed! Aidan Simons

Martin emerges from one of two tunnels that he helped cut through field boundary jungle that was blocking our way. John Chenery

North and South Cowton Village Hall

Prayer stop with Jane in the village hall (North Cowton has no church.) veronique garnier-clair

Pilgrims amd Sunflowers Claire Glover

Giant hogweed by the side of the track Aidan Simons

Uckerby

Scorton Methodist Church

How Did They Know We Were Coming? Julian Glover

Refreshments at Scorton Methodist Church Aidan Simons

Pilgrims heading for Richmond m bear

Scorton Lakes (one of...) Aidan Simons

Subway - Mind your head!

Stopped to take the photo, put my phone away, head down, walked straight into the pipe... Aidan Simons

Farmers Arms, Brompton on Swale

Patrick and his dog Wulfran visited us in the lunch pub. John Chenery

A giant old map of the local area on the wall of the pub John Chenery

Jim and Jane John Chenery

Patrick - larger than life, as ever! Good to see him again - he's been exiled up north for too long!! Aidan Simons

We passed this metalwork piece showing 3 soldiers of different eras - we were near Catterick Garrison and the old Roman fort of Cateractonium John Chenery

Old railway bridge now carries a bridleway across the River Swale on Brompton-on-Swale Aidan Simons

The River Swale - low, but there's still some water Aidan Simons

St Paul, Brompton on Swale

St Paul, Brompton on Swale Aidan Simons

St Paul, Brompton on Swale Aidan Simons

Pilgrims progress Mark Potter

St Agatha, Easby and Easby Abbey Ruins

Easby Abbey near Richmond Maurice Hickman

The ruins of Easby Abbey Aidan Simons

Easby abbey and St Agatha's Church Michael McCabe

Easby abbey church - not much left Michael McCabe

St Agatha's Church, Easby John Chenery

Pilgrim place Danny Thomas

Wall Painting, St Agatha, Easby Claire Glover

More wall paintings at St Agatha, Easby Aidan Simons

Font Detail, St Agatha, Easby Claire Glover

Fr Paul teaches us some history in his prayer stop at St Agatha, Easby Aidan Simons

Pilgrims at Easby Abbey Mark Potter

Richmond Waterfall

Drummerboy Stone plaque, Easby Mark Potter

Richmond Falls - you have to imagine how impressive it is when there's more water in the river! Aidan Simons

Everyone met on the way seems happy to hear about our pilgrimage veronique garnier-clair

If you didn't know, Richmond is on a hill!! Jane tackles the final climb. Aidan Simons

Richmond Castle Danny Thomas

Two Anne’s at Richmond waterfall Michael McCabe

Encounter in Richmond - a children's TV series was being filmed. veronique garnier-clair

Centre of Richmond that we passed on our way in Aidan Simons

Market Place Walk, Richmond Mark Potter

Anne viewing Richmond Michael McCabe

Richmond Methodist Church, Richmond

Washing up by floodlight Aidan Simons