St Hilda’s Way – 43 miles – 4 days – Hinderwell to Whitby Abbey. St Hilda’s Way celebrates the life of St Hild, Anglo-Saxon princess, spiritual leader, arts enthusiast and peacemaker, by visiting places dedicated to her (including eight churches) in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside. In 664 she hosted the famous Synod of Whitby as the first abbess of the double monastery of Streonshalh, now known as Whitby Abbey. It is said that seabirds in Whitby still dip their wings in honour of her.
St Hilda’s Way (2-day version) – 22 miles, 2 days – Danby to Whitby. You follow the River Esk, Yorkshire’s only salmon river, to finish at Whitby Abbey.
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Danby Dale
Longlands Lane and Danby Dale
St Hilda’s Church, Danby
St Hilda’s Churchyard, Danby overlooking Danby Dale
Stone Cross Remains on Danby Beacon
Stepping Stones, Lealholm
River Esk just beyond Lealholm
Nicholas Postgate Memorial Stone, Egton Bridge
Nicholas Polegate Window, by Tom Denny, in St Hedda’s RC Church, Egton Bridge
Apse in St Hedda’s RC Church, Egton Bridge
River Esk before Egton Bridge
Old St Hilda’s Churchyard, Egton
St Hilda’s Church, Egton
Font of St Hilda’s Church, Egton
A typical view of the North York Moors
Esk Valley near Grosmont
All Saints, Ugglebarnby
First glimpse of Whitby Abbey at Sneaton
St Hilda’s Church, Sneaton
Whitby Harbour looking up at Whitby Abbey
St Hilda Statue, Priory of St Hilda, Whitby
Convent Priory of St Hilda, Whitby
Statue of St Hilda, Priory of St Hilda, Whitby
St Hilda’s Parish Church, Whitby
West Window of St Hilda’s Parish Church, Whitby
St Hilda’s Church, Whitby
Approaching Whitby along Cleveland Way
Caedmon’s Cross, Whitby
Triple decker pulpit of St Mary’s Church, Whitby
Sanctuary of St Mary’s Church, Whitby,
St Mary’s Church, Whitby
St Mary’s and Whitby Abbey
Transport
Train to Danby for start of Day 1 and Egton Bridge for start of Day 2. Or taxi if parking car in Whitby. The train line running alongside the route allows easy transport back to the start of each day’s pilgrimage, although there are only four trains per day so check timetable carefully.
Alternative Start
If wanting to start your pilgrimage at St Hilda’s Church, Danby, rather than the train station, you could drive there, or get a taxi from Danby station (book in advance). Otherwise, follow the alternative walking route to the Church from the station (adding 4 extra miles (2 hrs) to your first day), or miss out the church altogether and walk from Danby station straight up to Danby Beacon, where there are the remains of a stone cross.
Alternative End
At Crowdy Hall Farm on the outskirts of Whitby, you have a choice of a fork in the road. One route goes directly to Whitby Abbey and stays along the top on roads, the other drops down to walk along the Harbour, and then climbs the 199 Steps to Whitby Abbey from below. The main marked route also gives the option of walking around Whitby to discover more places with a dedication to St Hilda (this adds on an extra 4 miles, 2hrs). Otherwise, turn from the train station straight towards Whitby Abbey.
Accommodation
Optional first night in Danby (Duke of Wellington or Fox & Hounds). Then at the end of the first day’s walking, Egton Bridge (Horseshoe Hotel) or Grosmont overnight. Or Whitby if nothing available.
Guidebook
http://www.dalescourtpress.co.uk/
Churches
Check opening times of churches (particularly rural) to avoid disappointment. Or perhaps call their churchwardens if you want access.
Terrain
Footpaths, fields, some roads and uphill walking.
