Circular Walk from Terrington

This walk from Terrington, takes you on a good old stomp across the countryside. There isn’t anything particularly grand to see. Just fields, woodland, and a pig farm. It’s very different from anything I have done so far out here in Yorkshire. Usually there is something that wows me. Gorges, cliffs, valleys, ruins, peaks. However, that’s not to say it was bad. It was nice to do something a bit different. To just be out in the countryside.

What to expect on the circular walk from Terrington

The walk starts off taking you through the school grounds in Terrington, before you are off and away along the edges of some crop fields.

Looking along the strips of green crops, with dirt in front, near the start of the walk from Terrington.

After a small uphill, you will follow the road, with wonderful views of the surrounding hills, to reach the pig farm.

A dirt gravel road lined with tall grass and then large green grass fields. There is a large tree on the right side of the road ahead.

The green grass undulating fields, partway through the Terrington circular walk. The fields ahead are lined with green hedges, and trees. There is one big tree ahead to the right.

A large pig standing in the dirt, looking at the camera, on the Terrington circular walk. There is a mass of green leafy trees in the background.

Past the pig farm, you will enter the first lot of woods, with a little bit more uphill to reach the rugged track, where you have some nice level walking for a bit.

A wooden stump with blue arrow pouting ahead, on the left side of the trail. The trail is lined with overgrown grass. The signpost is surrounded by lots of green leaves.

A dirt trail curving ahead through the woods, on the Terrington circular walk.

You will then descend back down through the woods, to make your way back to Terrington, walking through a mix of fields, woodland, and crop trails.

Looking across a large field with plants and weeds, and trees dotted about in the distance.

Looking across a large green crop field on the walk back towards Terrington. There are trees on the other side of the field, in the distance.

Once you get back to Terrington, you can pop into the village store to grab a freshly made pastry.

I passed zero people on this walk (except a couple of farmers, and the school children at the start in Terrington). So if you want peace and solitude, this is the walk for you.

Looking over the top of a field filled with overgrown grass, and weeds, partway through the circular walk from Terrington.

How long is the walk?

The full circular walk from Terrington is 7 miles. It took me about 2h15min to complete.

Is the walk dog friendly?

There are no stiles, and I saw no loose livestock. The only thing is the pig farm.

Is the walk challenging?

The walk from Terrrington is pretty easy. Although there are a couple of hills, they aren’t aggressive. There is a little bit of overgrowth, but it also wasn’t really aggressive.

Near the end, there was a large area of stinging nettles, which had been freshly cut down. So I can’t say for sure if these beasts will have reclaimed the path when you do this walk. If they have, there is an alternate way you can walk back to Terrington, which I will show you when I describe the route below.

Tall overgrown green grass, through the middle of tall bushes, and green leafy trees, near the end of the Terrington circular walk.

Straight after the Terrington walk, I headed over to Kirkham Priory, to try this river walk. If you want to see proper overgrowth, then that one has it. It’s in my top two walks of the worst overgrowth I have battled through.

Parking in Terrington

There is no car park in Terrington. You can just park on the roadside for free. Be mindful of where you park though, as it’s a residential area. Another thing to be mindful of, is which side of the road you park on. If cars are parked on both sides of the road, the road becomes too narrow for the tractors. There was one car that had done this when I was there, which caused a bit of havoc.

A large stone, with a sign saying 'Terrington', at the end of the walk.

Logistics

Start/Finish: Terrington
Where is it: Terrington is located in the Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire. Post code: YO60 6PP.

Distance: 7 miles
Time: 2h15min
Terrain: Dirt, road, track, grass, some overgrowth

Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: The village store in Terrington has freshly made food, and picnic benches outside. Nothing for the rest of the walk.
Time of year: I did this circular walk from Terrington in the summer

Map for the Terrington circular walk

You can find my more detailed rout map for the Terrington circular walk on Alltrails

Route description for the Terrington circular walk

From the main road through Terrington, walk along to find the side street that points towards the church. Keep going along the road, past the church, then take the little trail to the left of the house.

A triangle grass patch at a road junction, with a sign pointing along the road to the church. There is a house on the other side of the road on the corner.

A black hanging sign on a lamppost saying 'church open'. Part of the wall of the church is to the right.

The trail leading between a house and stone wall.

A short way along, walk through a couple of gates, and you will be in the Terrington School grounds. Head over towards the fields, and turn right, so you are walking with the wall to your right. You should see a trail sign here, pointing towards the Ebor Way.

A large sign saying Terrington School private grounds.

A wooden trail signpost, with a backdrop of the blue sky. The sign points right for the Ebor Way.

A wide path with a tall wall on the right, and neatly cut grass field to the left.

I felt a little out of place walking through here. It was sports day. All the kids were racing, and all the parents were standing around the field. Here I am, a stranger with a big camera.

Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I made sure not to point it in the direction of any children, and hurried along to get to the gate at the end, to reach the crop field.

Walk through the crop fields

Past the Terrington School, walk through the gate, and follow the trail to the right. It will then curve to the left, taking you along the edge of the crop field. At the end of this field, follow the trail to the left, which will then take you along the edge of another crop field.

A thin dirt trail running along the right side of a field, with dirt and green crops.

A path of dirt, with green grass and a crop field ahead. In the distance are hill fields with trees.

A grassy overgrown trail, with bushes to the left and crops to the right.

I felt very safe walking along here. Crops meant no cows. Then I saw the tractor in the distance. I immediately wondered if there was a farmer with a dog. I don’t have good experiences with farm dogs, and I started to feel less safe. So I picked up my pace to reach the gate at the end.

Looking across a large green crop field, to a blue tractor on the other side, on the circular walk from Terrington. There is a mass of woodland trees in the distance.

Part of a gate, with a yellow arrow stuck to it, pointing straight ahead. There is barbed wire attached to the gate.

The overgrowth and hill

Through the gate, continue straight, now in a grass field, to reach the next gate. Now that there were two gates between me and the potential dog. I felt calm again.

A metal gate at the end of the grass field, with big leafy green trees on the other side.

Past this second gate, the trail is a little overgrown, as it leads you over a wooden bridge, and then to a strange slanting gate.

A wooden bridge surrounded by tall overgrown grass, and a leaning tree, on the walk from Terrington.

A titled metal fence surround by tall overgrown messy grass and leafy bushes.

As I was approaching the gate, I wondered how it works. Like a normal gate? It’s not until you are right at it, that the actual gate appears to the left.

The trail will now take you uphill, with a lovely view to the undulating hills to the left.

Looking across the undulating grass fields, with green leafy trees dotted about, part way through the walk from Terrington.

Keep going up, to reach the gate, where you follow the yellow arrow pointing left.

A wooden gate, with a small yellow arrow on it, pointing left along the Terrington circular walk. There are crop field son the other side of the gate.

After a little bit more uphill, you will reach the road, where you turn left.

A trail leading uphill, along the left side of a green crop field. There is a hedge on the left side of the trail with a field on the other side. There is a mass of woodland trees at the top of the hill.

A wooden trail signpost nestled within the bushes and grass on the left, with the road partly visible ahead on the right.

A long wide path, snaking ahead, partway through the walk from Terrington. There are fields on both sides of the path, and a few trees ahead.

It’s now more uphill (on a gentle gradient), with more lovely countryside field views to your left. Then when you reach the junction, continue straight.

Looking down and across the undulating fields in different shades of green and yellow, on the Terrington circular walk. There are trees lining some of the fields.

A wooden trail signpost up a small hill of tall grass, with a backdrop of blue sky.

A wide path leading straight ahead, lined with tall grass, and fields on either side. — Go straight here

The pig farm

Keep following this road, and it will lead you to the pig farm. As I was approaching, my nerves picked up again. Farm meant farm dog.

I looked around, planning my escape. The pigs. If the farm dog came for me, I would run and jump in with the pigs.

Looking towards pigs lazing in the dirt, on the circular walk from Terrington.

Once you reach the farm buildings, you should see a footpath sign, pointing ahead to the Centenary Way. Follow it.

A public footpath signpost next to a wooden fence, with a tree branch hanging over it.

The Centenary Way is a long distance walking path. You can also walk some of it on this Castle Howard walk.

This will lead you past the farm buildings, and along a track, past more pigs.

A wide dirt road, lined with a hedge to the right, and a field with tall grass to the left.

You know, I have never walked through a pig farm, and I’m not sure I want to again. The noises they make are quite aggressive. It reminded me of horror movies.

Then I saw a mass of squawking birds. Are birds a bad omen? The birds with the pig noises made me feel a little uneasy. I had a sense of impending doom.

Looking over the tall grass to a dirt field, with 5 green metal sheds. there are lots of birds flying in the sky.

When I had walked past the farm buildings a moment earlier, there was a farmer chopping wood with a chainsaw contraption. I started to envisage him catching me and chopping me up. Would this walk from Terrington be my end?

I knew I was being silly, and made a mental note to work on my anxiety….but I rushed along anyway, to avoid being ‘kidnapped and chopped up’.

The woods

Keep following the track, which then takes you up a hill. Then as it curves around to the right, follow the trail off it, through the grass to the left. This will lead you into the woods.

A dirt road leading straight ahead, on the right. with a large patch of overgrown grass to the left. There is a wooden trail signpost on the grass, and big leafy green trees ahead.

The gravel dirt path curving to the right, with a mass of woodland with green leafy trees ahead to the left. — Go left here

A trail through the tall grass, leading to a mass of woodland with green leaves.

A wooden trail stump signpost with a blue arrow pointing left. There are lots of green leaves behind the sign.

The woods start off level, then as you follow the arrows, you will make your way uphill a little more, to reach the track at the top.

A dirt trail leading through the woodland, partway through the walk from Terrington.

A wooden signpost with a blue arrow pointing ahead along the dirt trail in the woods, on the circular walk from Terrington.

A mass of green grass and plants, with green leafy trees to the left, right, and ahead.

A rugged road across the Fram, with green bushes lines the other side, with a wooden gate. There is a mass of green leaved trees behind the hedge.

At the top, turn right.

Keep following the track for some time now. Surrounded by trees, with some far away views to the left.

Looking over the green bushes to a view of fields of yellow ands green in the distance. There are tree branches hanging down from the top of the frame.

When you reach the road, cross over to continue on the track.

A wooden trail signpost sticking out from the green plants, with masses of green leaves trees behind it.

A wide dirt path in the woods, on there walk from Terrington. The path is lined with green leafy plants and white flowers.

Then next bit is important. You need to make a right turn. It’s at the second trail post with arrows. There are no other distinguishable landmarks, everything is trees and bushes. Just remember, it’s the second post. Not the first.

A thin trail on the right, leading ahead, with a mass of green leaves plants on the left. There is a trail signpost with blue arrows sticking out from the plants. — Turn right here

Walk back towards Terrington

As you turn right here, you will now be looping to walk back towards Terrington. It’s a big downhill through woods to start, then when you reach the junction out of the woods, turn right, then left.

A thin trail leading through a mass of green leafy plants, and overhanging leafy tree branches, when walking back towards Terrington.

A widę path, with a big field ahead, and woodland trees in the distance.

In the photo above, you are heading towards that trail you can see ahead to the right. This will lead you back into the woods.

A wide stoney path leading ahead, with a big overgrown grass field to the left, and big green leaved trees lining the path to the right.

A wide stoney path leading through thew woods, on the walk back towards Terrington.

At the next junction in the woods, take the right, where there may or may not be logs.

A wodę dirt path through the woods, with log piles to the left, on the walk back to Terrington.

Keep going, following the arrow when you see it, and sticking to the main path.

A dirt path on the right, and green leaved plants to the left, with a wooden trail sign sticking out from the plants. There is an arrow on thew sign pointing ahead.

A dirt path leading straight ahead, lined with green leafy bushes and trees.

You might walk past some teepees. I later discovered, that this is bushcraft.

Keep going, then when you see the trail offshoot to the right (in the photo below), take it.

A dirt path curving to the left, with a trail offshoot on the right, leading through the grass and trees.

This will lead you up a short hill, to reach the main path.

A narrow dirt path leading up through the green leafy bushes, plants, and trees.

Don’t follow the sign to Terrington

At the main path, there is a trail signpost. Right points to Terrington, but don’t walk that way. Instead, turn left.

A wooden trail signpost in front of lots of trees, pointing right to walk to Terrington. — This sign points right to walk to Terrington. Go left instead.

A dirt road lined with green leafed plants with white flowers.

Following this path, keep a lookout for a small arrow sign on the right, then follow it downhill to reach the road.

A big tree trunk on the left, with a small trail sign next to it, with a blue arrow pointing downhill along the dirt trail through the woods.

A road going diagonally from bottom left to top right. The road is surround by woodland, and leads to an opening out of the woods.

Tow options to walk back to Terrington

At the road, turn right, then almost immediately left, onto the trail that runs along the edge of the field.

A barely visible trail signpost, hidden by the green leaves, with a dirt trail running next to it to the right.

A thin dirt trail with a green crop field to the right, and tall bushes to the left, on the walk back to Terrington.

Looking over the green crop field, with a cream coloured field on the other side, and a strip of woodland trees beyond it, on the walk back towards Terrington.

Keep following the edge of the woods, where there may be some more overgrowth in parts, all the way to reach the wooden gate.

A barely visible trail through the overgrown grass, with a. green crop field to the right, and a mass of green leafy trees to the left.

A wooden gate, with bushes and trees to the left, and field ahead to the right.

Through the wooden gate, turn right, and head in a sort of diagonal left. Roughly your 11 o’clock. You might be able to make out the grass track further along.

A large grass field, with a partially fallen down fence running straight across it, when walking back to Terrington. There are undulating fields in the distance, with a few trees dotted about.

A large green grass field, with trail marks leading to the right and left. There are a few trees on the other side of the field. — See the left grassy track here

This will lead you onto an obvious trail, then the wider path.

A thin trail running through the grass field, with trees ahead in the distance.

A wodę gravel type path, with a wire fence to the right. There is a big tree next to the fence, by a wooden gate.

There are now two options to walk back to Terrington.

Through the gate on the right is option one. It’s the one with the stinging nettles.

If the nettles have regrown when you get there, you can brave it, or, stay on this main path to reach Ganthorpe. At Ganthorpe, follow the road right, and walk back to Terrington that way.