Byland

Abbey and

Oldstead

Observatory

– Hard Walk

This walk starts at the splendour of Byland Abbey and along the way passes Oldstead Observatory at its highest point on Mount Snever. The walk is challenging due to its steep incline on Mount Snever and will take around 3 hours to complete with time to explore the Abbey and the Observatory.

Getting There

From Middlesbrough head up the A19 north until you reach the A170 turning which will take you up Sutton Bank. Then look for the right turning to Wass or Byland Abbey and follow the road through the village of Wasspast the abbey and to the car park near the Byland Abbey Inn.

Route of the Byland Abbey to OldsteadObservatory walk

After leaving the car park you can either start the walk or visit Byland Abbey first to explore its ruins and take a few photos.

Now head back up the road you drove on into the village of Wass. In Wass look for a lane to the left which will lead you into Abbey Bank Wood. At the top of the lane look for a gate signed Carn Farm, Observatory.

The path climbs and then leaves the wood edge to rise to a terrace. After a stile, take the L-H path, following Carn Farm. The path is a steep incline. Go straight ahead at two junctions, uphill to reach a large open space. Turn right and just before a waymarked metal gate turn left along the wood edge. Follow the path to Oldstead Observatory bearing left through the wood.

The Observatory was built in 1838 for astronomers and the inscription on the plaque

reads:

Here hills and waving groves a scene display

And part admit and part exclude the daySee rich industry smiling on the plainsAnd peace and plenty tell VICTORIA reigns!Happy the MAN who to these shades retiresWhom NATURE charms and whom the muse inspiresWho wandering thoughtful in this silent woodAttends the duties of the wise and goodTo observe a mean, be to himself a friendTo follow NATURE and regard his end.

Continue your walk by passing to the left of the observatory through the wood. Follow the path which drops

steeply to a signpost.

Turn right on the track signed "Oldstead". Follow the path as it

curves left to become a metalled lane. Turn left at the T junction and left

onto the road by a seat. Have a well earned pitstop!

Just before the road narrows sign turn left. Go through

gateposts and over a cattle grid. Then as the avenue of trees ends, take a sharp turn right

uphill at a signposted footpath. Climb up to a stile, bending to the left beside the woodland to

a gate. After the next gate, keep ahead through two gates

and onto a metalled road.

Turn right, then, just beyond the road sign which indicates a bend, take a

track to the left by the OldsteadGrange sign. Pass the house and go

between barns and through a gateway. Bear right downhill on the track, bending right on a track to a gateway with a waymarked tree.

Straight after the gateway, turn left through the wood to a Byland Abbey signpost. Follow the path as it bends

left by another sign, cross a stile, then the field with its hedge to the left, bending left then right at the

end to a signpost. Go through an opening beside a metal gate and

along the field with a hedge on your right.

Go over two stiles then bear slightly

left to another stile. Go across the field to a signpost in the hedge by a metal gate. Follow the

fence, then go onto the road by a

wooden stile. Turn left back to the car park opposite the

Abbey.