IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Hudswell, RICHMOND, DL11 6BP

The thistle stems are the dead remnants of the previous summer's flowering of, probably, creeping thistle. New plants will grow during the coming growing season. The trees to the right are in Kirkgate Wood.

The nearer trees are either in the wood or just outside it. The location is just to the west of Scarcote Gill along a path through the northern side of MOD land.

One would imagine that this path sees little use as it has long been a route which doesn't easily link with others. However it does now cross a permissive path linking the Husdwell area with Downholme along the rim of the dale.

A very thistly field close by the Hudswell to Downholme road. In the distance, across the dale is the limestone scar by Willance's leap and the masts by the Richmond to Marske old road.

One of those field gates where you have to heave it upwards to release the catch. The path leads downhill past the house at Thorpe under Stone to reach the A6108, but there's no path leading onwards from there, and the main road wouldn't be a pleasant one to walk along. Not surprising that this path is little used.

The signage at the start of this path might seem a little intimidating with warnings about this being a military training area, but one is unlikely to come across soldiers lurking in the undergrowth or UXB's on the path, which is little used as it doesn't lead anywhere useful.

Taken from a little used footpath on the south side of the valley. This contrasts with one of the most heavily used paths in the country on the far side, where the Coast to Coast route runs. Unseen, a short way below the camera position is a permissive path which links public rights of way at Hudswell with the small village of Downholme across MOD land. I recall walking this path when it first opened, which must be at least 20 years ago. It crosses the public right of way at the corner of a wood and can be followed gradually ascending the hillside just above the wood.