Discover Cloughton: Trails, Nature and History

Cloughton combines impressive landscapes with unusual historical details. Walking and cycling routes around the village pass through varied surroundings, while St Mary's Church, the Cross Dyke and the dovecote at Cloughton Hall offer very different insights into the area's history. This combination of routes, nature observations and historic sites can be taken into account when planning a trip. Anyone looking for a holiday cottage in Cloughton can choose their accommodation based on whether shorter or longer routes, or travelling by bus, should be the focus.

Walking and cycling routes for different day plans

A manageable option is the Cloughton and Hayburn Wyke Walk circular route. The five-mile trail starts and ends at Cloughton railway station. This means the route can be planned as a standalone walking experience, without the start and finish being in different places. In the immediate vicinity of Cloughton, Hayburn Wyke can also be reached via the Cleveland Way or along footpaths north or south of the Hayburn Wyke Inn.

Those who prefer a longer route can choose the Cinder Track, a 21.7-mile, car-free route for walkers and cyclists. It forms Route 1 of the National Cycle Network and, when leaving Cloughton, enters the North York Moors National Park. The section between Scalby and Cloughton has an eroded surface. This specific trail condition should therefore be taken into account when planning to use the Cinder Track by bicycle or on foot.

Another option is the Coast and Forest Circular. The circuit is 32.4 miles, or 52.1 kilometres, long and is rated moderate. Its route also includes a stop at the old railway station tea rooms in Cloughton. The different route lengths help you decide whether to plan a shorter walk, an extended cycling route or a longer excursion in the surrounding area.

History between the church, dovecote and Cross Dyke

The dovecote at Cloughton Hall dates from the 17th century. Its circular floor plan has a diameter of 4 metres and is topped by a domed roof. It is also thought to be the only circular, multi-storey dovecote in the United Kingdom. This combination of shape, size and presumed uniqueness makes the building a distinctive historic feature of the area.

Today's St Mary's Church was built following a reconstruction that began in January 1832, after the roof of the former chapel collapsed. Its architecture includes a western bellcote, a five-bay nave divided into five bays and an uninterrupted chancel. The church has step-free access through a side gate; a path along the wall and a ramp lead to the entrance.

The Cross Dyke, a Scheduled Monument, lies in the Cloughton Plantations. Its position across two ridges of land separated by a small valley is unusual. The Cross Dyke is thought to represent a territorial boundary. For visitors interested in cultural history, this creates a contrast with the natural experience on the trails: the landscape and its historical use can be combined in the same travel plans.

Hayburn Wyke and the surrounding landscape

In the immediate vicinity of Cloughton, Hayburn Wyke extends to a rocky cove with a waterfall and large boulders. Hayburn Wyke's mixed woodland is visited by deer, foxes and badgers. Those who enjoy observing landscapes can focus here on rock formations, water and woodland, while the Cinder Track or the longer circular routes offer a different way to explore the area.

Cloughton as a base for planning your trip

For travelling by bus, the Arriva X93 and X94 services are relevant. They stop at the Playing Fields stop on High Street in Cloughton, near St Mary's Community Hall.

Other destinations for orientation include Carnforth, Ripley, Winteringham, Sherburn In Elmet, Scotch Corner, Hinderwell, Battersby and Thornton Dale.

For the higher-level travel overview: North Yorkshire.