During these Covid times I think we have all become walkers in some shape or form. For many weeks with gyms and sports grounds closed it has been our main permissible form of exercise. The benefits of walking are more apparent than ever now. In these times of social isolation it has been a boost for our wellbeing by getting us outdoors in the fresh air and closer to nature. For some getting out for a walk could even be said to have been a life saver, particularly those living alone.
So it is fitting that throughout the lockdowns Welcome to Yorkshire has run the Walkshire campaign to promote our beautiful Yorkshire as the home of walking in the UK. It has covered a walk a day from all over the region and the spectacular Yorkshire coast has not been missed out.
All the walks can be found at https://www.yorkshire.com/walkshire
The website is easy to navigate with walks categorised into Coastal, Urban, Countryside and Accessible. There really is something for everyone.
But for our guests we would like to mention a couple of our favourites which are walkable straight from the Home Farm House front door – The Cleveland Way National Trail and the Scarborough Sea Cut.
The Scarborough Sea Cut
The Scarborough Sea Cut is where the early Victorians created an inland channel from the River Derwent to the sea in order to avoid repeated flooding. The walk starts between Newby and Scalby. and continues 3 miles along the cut before entering Raincliffe Woods. The woods are a wonderful mix of mixed woodland trees, recreation and excellent paths.
This 
walk starts literally 2 min
utes from Home Farm House and takes the path along side Scalby Beck, a picturesque route through shady trees and open fields. It’s a great place to spot wildlife. We’ve often seen kingfishers diving into the water along here. It’s one of our favourite dog walks too, our cockerpoo Mabel loves it! The Beck is so close to the house that it is also good for that short early morning dog walk or run whilst the rest of the family are sleeping or splashing in the Home Farm private swimming pool.
The Sea Cut leads up to Raincliffe woods where there are excellent paths and forest trails through the broadleaf ancient woodland restored to glory by a superb band of volunteers. Our Kids have always loved hunting for mini beasts here and our Mabel loves the abundance of sticks she can pick up. The route brings you through the woods and back down into Scalby village to Home Farm House, easily completed in a day.
The Cleveland Way National Trail
Ok, so the whole of the Cleveland way is in actual fact a 109 mile walk from Helmsley to Filey! So maybe not a day’s family walk from Scalby. However, one of the most attractive parts of it is in easy access of Home Farm House – that is the part along the cliffs. We usually take a short drive to the end of Station Road in Scalby and set off across the fields to the cliffs from there but it is walkable from the front door if you wish.
From here you can walk south toward Scarborough’s North Bay or North towards Whitby. We would usually walk to the North Bay beach in the summer this way. It avoids driving and looking for that elusive parking space in the summer weeks. You have a great view of Scarborough Castle and it takes only about 10 mins to reach the Scarborough Sea Life Centre at Scalby Mills, a favourite with the kids.
Heading North along these cliffs you get some stunning open views across the North Sea and opportunities to scramble down to rocky coves and quiet beaches (Always check tide times). For those feeling fit enough you can follow the cliff trail all along to picturesque Robin Hoods Bay, the ancient smugglers village which is definitely worth a visit whilst staying at Home Farm House even if you travel by car! The narrow streets used by the smugglers are still as they were and the open beach there is great for kids. A popular stop for an ice cream.
We’d like to say thanks to everyone at Welcome to Yorkshire for putting this valuable library of walks together and we hope our guests find this introduction to them useful.
Happy Walking!!
