Sutton-in-Craven

This is not meant as a circular walk, more a meander into a secret glade, with a beck, and a small but delightful waterfall at the edge. There is a very steep climb after a stone bridge, and if wet, the mud and leaves become treacherous. But it is well worth the effort. This description is more to show you around, and does not constitute an actual walk. It is typical of a hidden Victorian park.

         
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1	Start at the Bay Horse Pub in Ellers Road, on the outskirts of Sutton. Come out of the car-park, and head for the short road opposite, going over the stream that passes under the houses. Turn left at the end of Overburn Road into Hall Drive, and head towards an archway.
2	Go under this archway (pictured here). Carry straight up, ignoring a road on your right. Take this badly potholed drive all the way to the top of the lane.
3	As you get to the end of the lane you will reach a single-file wooden bridge crossing the stream. Walking over this allows access to one of Suttons' best kept secrets. Carry up this dirt path and ignore the pathway over a stone bridge to your right. This route can be taken as another exit point onto the road on your way out, if you want to.
4	Keeping the river on your right at all times, you will pass three concrete bridges with metal rails, all different in design. At one point you will see a small tributary coming from the left and joining the main stream, you cross it by way of some stone slabs. The last metal rail bridge over on your right is pictured here.
5	There are fields and dry stone walls to your left, and the main stream is still over to your right. The track now narrows, and eventually leads to a small easily managed stepping stone stile. Over the stile turn right and across the stone bridge, pictured here. Make your way up the hill with a dry stone wall either side of you. This is the hard, steep part.
6	Follow this single pathway all the way to the top, being aware that at some points it can be quite precarious. Notice the view and the beck, and mini waterfalls cascading below you over on the left. A narrow stone stile meets you at the top, (see picture) and should you wish to, you can go through this, turning right immediately and head towards the wooden stile you can see, crossing into the farm (who have watchdogs) and bearing left out onto a tarmac road, then turning right and head downhill back into the village.
7	Otherwise you should go back down the single track and return as you came, but feel free to take any of the crossings over any of the bridges, and do some exploring. The choice is yours. This is a pretty little grassy glade with plenty of wildlife, and lots to see and explore. Public Toilets opposite the Park are now being turned into flats, so use the pubs.

This walk (and pictures) submitted by Crag Face.

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