Alma Cottage
A Walk around Kirkby Malzeard
Leave Alma Cottage by the front door and turn right up Main Street, past the Henry Jenkins Inn, the Methodist Chapel and Kirkby Stores. Cross over the Galphay Road and continue heading towards Ripon.
In between Fountains Dairy and Mowbray House is a small wooden gate. This is the
entrance to Love Lane, a sunken path that leads to St Andrew's Chuchyard. The path
was dug out when the owners of Mowbray House about a hundred years ago objected to
people taking a short cut to church and being able to see them. During the Second
World War it was used as the air-
If you want to venture further up the Ripon Road you will come to the bridge on the outskirts of the village. Looking at the small beck which runs under it, it's hard to believe that in the winter of 2000 heavy rain turned this into a raging torrent which tore down the ancient narrow bridge. The bridge has now been rebuilt wider to cope with modern traffic rather than horses and carts.
Heading back towards the village, turn right down Church Street and take a look at St Andrew's and the churchyard. Here you can see the Saxon preaching cross dating back to the 7th Century. Back on Main Street you pass the Butter Cross, which is a symbol of Kirkby Malzeard's history as a market town. Continue along, past the Mechanics Institute, the Post Office and Highside Butchers. Just past the garage is the Pinfold, where once stray animals were impounded.
Turn left at The Green and first right into Back Lane to find Highside Playing Fields, which has a link with Bing Crosby. On one of his shooting visits to Dallowgill he was shown the playing fields and tried his hand at cricket, afterwards making a generous donation towards the development of the fields. (You can see Bing Crosby memorabilia in the Drovers Inn, Dallowgill, if you go there for a drink or a meal.)
Continue on Back Lane, turning left at the Main Road and first right, signposted Dallowgill. Keep walking for about 800 yards until you come to a gate on the right marked Lamberts Quarry. Follow the path right over the hill for spectacular views over the surrounding countryside, then join Ringbeck Road. Turn right to return to the Main Street and carry on, going past the Rose Lea tea room (perhaps stopping for a cup of tea and a cake?) and the fish and chip shop, back to Alma Cottage.
For further information on some of the local landmarks you will pass on this short walk, see our Historical Background page.
About the Cottage | Additional Information | Access Statement | Photos | Visitors' Comments | Historical Background | Local Attractions | Nature Watch | Village walk
This page last updated on 04/09/2009
