Kirkgate leading to the west entrance of Ripon cathedral.

The Ripon Rowel is a long distance walk, but at only 50 miles long and mostly covering low level farmland, woodlands and quiet hidden away villages it is pretty much in the easy category. Ideal for me. It's a circular route which starts and finishes at Ripon Cathedral and I found plenty to interest me on the way around. The views are good if somewhat similar throughout and there are some special places to visit and linger if you have built in the time to your schedule. Ripon is a pocket sized city and well worth a visit. It maintains a number of traditions including a Horn Blower who sounds a horn at 9pm every evening in the market place and a Bellman who rings a hand bell to announce the opening of the market at 11am every Thursday morning. Lewis Carroll of Alice in Wonderland fame has a link to the Cathedral as his father held the position of Canon there. (Carroll has a number of links to the north east of England). Another literary figure linked to Ripon is the First World War One poet, Wilfred Owens. Following a period of convalescence in Edinburgh in 1917 for 'shell shock', Owens was posted to Ripon and during his time there he composed a number of his poems. Unlike some other war poets such as Rupert Brooke, Owen did not write patriotic prose about the war, but told of the horrors of it. Unfortunately for Owen his time at Ripon did not mark the the end of his war and he was returned to the front line. Tragically he was killed in action on 4th November 1918, a week before peace was declared.

Now for the walk....(map Landranger 99 - Northallerton, Ripon). The dictionary defines a rowel as : a small wheel with radiating points, forming the extremity of a spur. Ripon was once well known for the quality of the spurs manufactured there and there was a well known expression, " As true steel as a Ripon rowel". When King James I stayed overnight in Ripon in 1617, the Mayor presented him with a gilt bowl and a pair of spurs. So a rowel is round and this walk goes around Ripon where spurs were once made, hence the name of the walk. Sunday 8th July 2007, sees myself and youngest son Christopher in Ripon ready to complete the first leg of the walk which we'd planned at 13 miles.

"..and the finalists for this years knobbly knees contest are Terry and Christopher." I'd like you to believe I was looking up for divine inspiration, but really I has trying to hide my double chin(s)!

Stone coffins next to the south wall of the cathedral.

I joked with Christopher that these were to be our accommodation on our return. Not b+b (bed and breakfast) but c&c (coffee and a coffin)........Don't worry he didn't laugh at the joke either.

A look back to the south side of the cathedral as we set off.

Very soon we're walking along (or in Christopher's case sitting next to) the Ripon canal, the most northerly point in England on the inland waterways system.

We pass by the marina, which is at a great location next to Ripon racecourse. There are some splendid racecourses in Yorkshire and Ripon is one of them. Although I seem to remember that I very kindly donated some of my money to the bookie on my visit there.

Lucky people, what a great way to spend a Sunday.

We walked along a short section of the river Ure and on the other side of the river we could make out Newby Hall. Soon though we left the river and made our way to the village of Bishop Monkton.

It was a bit too early to stop for refreshments, so we just carried on and gave this pub which served food a miss.

I noticed that this house was up for sale and wondered if the topiary was a selling point or a hindrance.....

...well it'll certainly take some getting used to.

From Bishop Monkton we carry on across farmland to the village of Burton Leonard where we stop for lunch.

After lunch we continue south for a short distance before reaching this signpost and marker stone. This is as far south as we go and now we turn right to join a very minor road towards South Stainley.

I spotted these lovely flowers just next to the roadside.

From South Stainley we cross more pleasant farmland to the village of Markington and then head across towards farm buildings behind which was the suprise of the day for me.

The gatehouse and part of the moat around Markenfield Hall.

Most of the buildings were completed in 1310, although the great hall dates from 1280. A private home with limited opening to the public, the current owners are descendents of the original Markenfields. The Markenfields rode out of here to take part in several famous battles. The family though have not lived here continuously as the property and lands were once confiscated. You can read the history of this place at this link

Another view of the moat.

The moat is occupied by black swans. I wondered if this one, standing on one leg, was having a joke at my expense as we were near the end of the walk and my feet were aching now.

After 13 miles walking we arrive at our destination and we're less than 3 miles away from Ripon where we started. The next leg starts from here ...

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