Market Weighton

Welcome to Wicstun
Your guide to the mediaeval town now known as Market Weighton

Because of Market Weighton's position at the edge of the Wolds, it is within easy reach of the many public footpaths and rights of way to be found in East Yorkshire. These include two long distance footpaths, the Yorkshire Wolds Way and the MinsterWay, and the shorter Hudson Way.

The Yorkshire Wolds Way

The Wolds Way which was opened on 2nd October 1982 is a 79 mile, long distance path starting at Hessle Haven on the Humber, and finishing at the cliffs above Filey on the East Riding coast.

The path was originally an idea of the Rambler's Association in 1967. The first section, a 4 mile stretch through Goodmanham and Londesborough, opened in 1973. The complete route was not finally proposed by the Countryside Commission until 1977, and the full length of the path eventually became a reality on 2nd October 1982.

It approaches Market Weighton from the South, arriving at Arras Hill when it takes a North Westerley direction towards Goodmanham. Just after the path crosses the Market Weighton to South Dalton road one can either continue to the villages of Goodmanham and then Londesborough, or take an alternative route to visit Market Weighton using the Hudson Way.

Once in the town refreshment may be taken at one of the several inns, or other establishments offering light refreshment. The route to the Wolds Way follows York Road to the West, and then to the North at the edge of the town boundary where a new gate and sign direct the walker across land belonging to Bridge Farm (named after the railway bridge which used to stand nearby).

The route passes through Weighton Clay Field then crosses the A614 Howden to Bridlington road, and on through Towthorpe Grange farm. The path eventually enters Londesborough Park where the Wolds Way is rejoined.

For those wishing to explore further, and perhaps walk the whole of the Wolds Way, the full route together with some excellent maps is given in the publication "Wolds Way" by Roger Ratcliffe, and the Countryside Agency have an excellent website giving comprehensive details of the route, which is well worth a visit.

The Hudson Way

This footpath traces the route of the former railway line between Market Weighton and Beverley, which was opened on 1st May1865 and, sadly, closed to passenger services with the last train on 29th November 1965, following closure by Dr Beeching in that year. The path, which covers a distance of 11 miles is named after George Hudson, the 19th century railway pioneer. The history of the line is graphically covered in a publication by Stephen Chapman, see Hudson's Way.

The route passes through Kiplingcotes, where the railway station and the recently restored station box still remain.

The station was built in 1864 especially for Lord Hotham who lived at nearby Dalton Hall, and to serve a few remote farms. It had little to offer dismounting passengers, being out in remote countryside, apart from a few cottages and the beauty of the Wolds.

Much of the path is designated as a linear nature reserve, and the keen observer will see a wide variety of flora and fauna on the route.

After leaving Market Weighton towards Beverley and passing beneath a road bridge the footpath passes St Helen's Well, one of Yorkshire's sacred wells. The well is in a wooded grotto, between Hudson's Way and the the road passing through Spring Dale.
About 2 miles from the town is the Kiplingcoates Chalk Pit nature reserve, administered by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and much favoured by local bird watchers.
Before reaching Beverley the route passes close to the villages of Goodmanham, Etton, South Dalton and Cherry Burton, all of which are picturesque Wolds villages and well worth a visit.

South Dalton especially is worth a slight detour, where the beautiful church of St Mary with its tall steeple is visible for miles around.

The Minster Way

Whilst not actually passing through Market Weighton, this long distance path perhaps should be considered as a must for the dedicated hiker. It starts at Beverley Minster (about 8 miles from Market Weighton) and takes a route across the Wolds for a distance of 51 miles to finish at York Minster. The route can be picked up north east of the town, at North Dalton, or to the north west at Millington, where it crosses the route of the Wolds Way.

The route is described fully in the publication "The Minster Way" by Ray Wallis.

For those wishing to read more on the various topics covered, the following publications are recommended.....

The Wolds Way

Wolds Way by Roger Ratcliffe
Published by Aurum Press, in association with the Countryside Commission and the Ordnance Survey, 1992
ISBN 1 85410 189 7

The Hudson Way

Hudson's Way, The story of the York-Beverley railway.
Author, Stephen Chapman
Published by York Railpress, 1986
ISBN 0 946371 01 6

Lost Railways of East Yorkshire, 2nd Edn.
P G Mason
Wolds Publications, Driffield, 1992

See also: ............
Yorkshire Wolds Wanderings
A guide to walking, cycling and touring in the Yorkshire Wolds
David F Walford
Santona Publications, Hull, 1997
ISBN 0 9507960 4 2

Londesborough

Londesborough
History of an east Yorkshire Estate Village
By David Neave with drawings by Neil Thwaites
Published by Londesborough Silver Jubilee Committee, 1977
Reprinted 1994 by Horsley & Dawson Ltd., Driffield, East Yorkshire

The Minster Way

The Minster Way
Ray Wallis
Published by the East Riding and Derwent Ramblers' Association, 1999
ISBN 901184 21 8
Available from the author, 75 Ancaster Ave., Hull, E.Yorkshire. HU5 4QR (£4 + 55p postage)