Finding Solitude

In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself

Laurence Sterne

Whether you’re looking for solitude or not, a walk along the Ebor Way is enough to lift ones spirits. The 70 mile long distance walk from Helmsley (North Yorkshire) to Ilkley (West Yorkshire) runs past The Stables in Oswaldkirk. We’re only 3 miles from the quaint market town of Helmsley by road and a little bit further via the Ebor Way. As you leave our village of Oswaldkirk to the North and head down the first section of this route you are greeted by this panoramic view, almost 180 degrees of colourful farmland in the foreground through to the rambling North York Moors and across to the blue skies over the coast. And breathe!! We usually continue through the fields and to the small hamlet of Sproxton before carrying on to Helmsley where we like to be rewarded with a Ryeburns award winning icecream.

If you’re looking for woodland walks there is an abundant choice around us as we are in the Howardian Hills AONB. We have the Millennium trail, a quick 45 minutes around the village which takes you through the woods at the top of the hag and then back along the footpath in the village. Our pooches favour Gilling woods, Prior Rigg woods or Wass woods. Here, dogs, children and those who love to get muddy, wet and generally up to mischief can have hours of fun.

A gentle and more sophisticated walk for those who wish to educate themselves rather than play in mud would be the Coxwold loop. This takes in the aforementioned village where the former home of Laurence Sterne, Shandy Hall stands. This is now a charitable trust, open to the public that celebrates his writing. You also get to experience one of the greatest monasteries in England, Byland Abbey. Don’t be surprised by it’s lack of a roof and crumbling walls, it’s last inhabitants left in 1538 when the monks signed a deed of surrender and the abbey was gutted of all it’s valuable items.

Of course solitude can be found at home too. Whilst your stay here with us can be whatever you want it to be, full to the brink of doing ‘stuff’ if you like, we are sure you will relax and unwind both in the cottage and the garden, you can even toast marshmallows in the campfire hut.