Spaunton Manor Circuit Cycle Route

Skirt the encroaching moors on a short road ride that takes you across the ancient lands of Spaunton Manor, encompassing the villages of Hutton le Hole, Lastingham, Spaunton and Appleton le Moors. Follow quiet country lanes to explore settlements with a unique charm – both Lastingham and Appleton have an historic tale to tell, not to mention a welcome pub. At Spaunton you're rewarded with a great view at Victoria Cross before you zip down Spaunton Bank and across the moor edge back to Hutton le Hole. About this cycle route Route type: Explorer route Distance: 9 miles (14.5km) Time: 1½ hours Start point: Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton le Hole Grid Ref: SE 705 900 OS Map: Ordnance Survey OL26 Refreshments: Pub & hotel in Lastingham, pub in Appleton Explorer route, for road bikes and hybrids. This is a short road ride, with some level moorland stretches and a few stiff climbs, especially the long pull up to Appleton le Moors. But from Spaunton it is all downhill! It's a great ride for a family day out, though you can expect to have to get off and push at times. Route credits: Thanks to our friends at Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton le Hole who devised this route. It's one of a series of three 'Heritage Cycle Rides' – this route had the original title 'To the Manor Born' (Heritage Cycle Route 1).

Route highlights! The ancient crypt and church of St Mary's, Lastingham. Surprise view at Victoria Cross, Spaunton – a fabulous place to take a break! Detour into Appleton to see an ancient moorland village. The wind in your hair on the moorland road back to Hutton le Hole Appleton le Moors Appleton's main street is a typical example of a planned medieval street, whose houses originally all had long gardens, or garths, 330 feet long, stretching to the back lane. Keep an eye out for the house known as 'Three Faces' (opposite the Village Hall), whose carvings above the door are of three 'blood suckers' – namely a priest, a doctor and a lawyer.