West Burton to Aysgarth Falls

The old bridge at West Burton

How to walk the West Burton to Aysgarth Circular

Directions (to be used in conjunction with a map)

1. Beginning at the parking spot on Front Nook, head north along Front Nook as it heads back out the village. You will soon meet Walden Beck on your right and see the old bridge ahead (pictured). Here you will pass the signpost for Cauldron Falls and the West Burton waterfalls - you can either take a detour now, or at the end. Whichever you choose, it is well worth the detour for a fab paddle and swim spot!

2. Head across the old bridge and turn left along the access road. After you have passed a couple of properties to your left, you will see a little gate into a field on your left. It is signposted Public Footpath, Edgely 1ml. The grassy path heads across the field to another gate in the wall in the field opposite.

3. Head through that and across the next field to a gap in the wall ahead. After squeezing through that, head straight on, keeping the perimeter fence and trees to your right. You will pass through a metal gate, then head straight on across the next field, aiming for a gate in the wall next to a farm building, directly ahead

4. Once you head through this, the track heads slightly upwards through a gap in the wall. Roughly follow the tree line on your left as it heads through the next field. Head over a stile, keep heading straight on and cross a little stream (this could well be dry during the Summer months). There is soon a gap in the hedgerow on your left, and the path heads down the slope here towards the large building on your left. Here there is a way-marker visible up ahead marked public footpath, so head towards that!

5. The path heads straight on between the farm buildings on your left, and the bank on your right, you need to keep on the level here until you see a further public footpath waymarker. There are some follies that appear up on the top of the bank to your right, and at the final conical shaped one, the path heads slightly left and diagonally across the field, to another public footpath way-marker.

6. That sign points in the direction of the road, where there is a little exit point out of the field. Here you will have a very short period of road walking but there is ample room on the verge side to walk on. Cross the road and turn right, walking up the road for a short distance until you see a public footpath sign to Hestholme Bridge on your left. Head through the metal gate and diagonally across the next field.

7. There is a small gate in the wall which heads into the trees and down next to a wire fence on your left. Follow this to the next road. This is the main road into Aysgarth and here is another very short period of road walking. Turn left over the bridge then cross the road to the opposite side, where there is signpost saying public footpath and there is a wooden gate in the fence. Head across the next field. The path heads diagonally rightwards to another public footpath sign (which was next to a bath when we walked it!)

8. The path then meets the river on your right and follows it. Head through another little gate onto a fenced path that follows the line of the river. Follows this, and the signpost as it eventually points you up the bank to your left. You will head up above the water for a while, but there is the chance to take a path down to the edge of lower force of Aysgarth Falls. Continue along the path as it heads along the river going through several gates. You need to keep the fence line to your right all the way until you reach a gap between the fence and wall, next to a large tree.

9. Here you will enter a wooded area. Head through it to the gate at the far end where you will see Aysgarth Church. The path takes you to the churchyard. As you get to the church door, turn left (alternatively if you wish to, you can head right. This takes you into Aysgarth where you could explore more of the famous falls if you wish). After turning left, head down the track which leads you to the main road again. Cross this, and you will see a public footpath sign and gap in the wall opposite. Head through that.

10. The path descends, heading straight on down the field to another gate in the wall ahead. Head steeply down the next field aiming towards the middle of the dry stone wall ahead. There is a footpath sign on the wall, follow that through a wooden stile and head steeply up the bank on the other side, keeping the dry stone wall to your left. There is another gate at the top.

11. Go through the gate, keep the wall to your left until you see the footpath sign up ahead. The footpath sign points diagonally across the field to the right, heading down towards a gate in the fence ahead and another footpath sign.

12. Follow it (you know that by now!!) through another springy gate, and down towards the road. Head leftwards in the field to a gate onto the road (although there are several exits that head to the road!) Turn right along the road and head to the road bridge crossing the beck. This is another short road walking section. Shortly after the bridge you will see a signpost pointing in the direction of West Burton.

13. Follow it!! It eventually meets a dry stone wall on your right and passes an old stile that no longer has a fence! Follow the wall until the path meets up with the beck again, then turn left heading alongside the water, keeping it on your right, then head through another gate and across another field heading towards the farm buildings ahead.

14. The path heads up to the main road, up some steps and through a gate on the edge of the road. There is a path on the other side of the road a little to your right. Cross the road and head along that until it meets the road taking you back to the village green in West Burton. Turn right and head back to the village green where you’ll find a mini play park directly opposite the pub!

15. Remember you can also take a detour to West Burton Falls if you haven’t already!

Last walked November 2022

Walking through the fields at the start of the walk

One of the follies

The lower falls of Aysgarth

The gate heading towards Aysgarth Church