Fox and Rabbit to Pickering Walk

A linear walk from the village of Lockton (home to the Fox and Rabbit Inn) to the market town of Pickering in Ryedale. Begin by catching the bus from Pickering to Lockton where you can enjoy lunch before beginning the linear walk back into town. Along the way you will enjoy the hillside pastures of Cross Dale, the haunting woodland of Haugh Wood and an idyllic stretch of the river, Pickering Beck. This walk is published through a collaboration with Ryedale District Council. For more visitor information on the area including events and accommodation, go to www.VisitRyedale.co.uk The walk has several climbs and descents throughout, including a couple of steep sections near the start. The sections of paths through woodland and pasture can be very muddy, slippery and rutted at times so good boots are a must (or wellingtons with grips in the winter months). You will need to negotiate several wide field gates, a couple of kissing gates, a few footbridges, one stone wall stile and one fence stile. (The wall stile is well built and should be easy for dogs to cross and the fence stile has a field gate alongside which is often unlocked. Even if this gate is locked, there is a gap beneath the gate that most dogs should be able to squeeze through). Many of the fields will be holding sheep and at least one field is used to graze cattle at times so take particular care with dogs. You will need to cross the railway twice, both at unsignalled crossing points so take great care to look and listen for trains before you proceed at these points. Allow 3 hours. There are public toilets in The Ropery car park (close to Pickering Market Place) and also in Eastgate car park (near the Pickering bus stop). If you are looking for refreshments, the Fox and Rabbit Inn in Lockton is at the start of the walk, you will find Lowther Place Tea Gardens in Newbridge (just after waypoint 3) and there are plenty of pubs and cafes centred around the Market Place in Pickering at the end of the walk. OS Map: Explorer OL27 North York Moors Eastern Area. This walk follows public footpaths and bridleways which cross private and public land. Please respect people's privacy, keep dogs under control and remember the Countryside Code.