Pocklington: Canal & Common - 9 miles

NEW WALK!! This walk sets off in the direction of Canal Head at Pocklington Canal, then makes use of roads to guide us to the village of Thornton. Continuing our road walking, we then venture off across fields to pick up a woodland trail which traverses Allerthorpe Common before arriving at the village of Allerthorpe from where pavement walking takes us back to our start point.

The walk will be led at a steady pace: not too fast, not too slow. Please be ready to start walking at the advertised time.

Walk fee: £3. No dogs please. Bring packed lunch/drink/snacks with you.

Meeting point: in front of the library/public conveniences on the corner of Railway Street/West Green facing the mini-roundabout close to the centre of town.

Parking: there are two free car parks on West Green, down the road from the mini-roundabout. The first (West Green cp) has a sign saying parking is limited to four hours (which won’t be enough) although a warden advised me the time limit doesn’t apply of Sundays. However, there is no signage to confirm this.
The second car park (West Green Field cp) is a little further down the road but doesn’t have a time limit.
Alternatively, there is some roadside parking on Cemetery Lane and West Green Drive (the better option). These two roads are situated in-between the two car parks on the other side of the road.

After-refreshment: pub and tearoom options.

Background info:
On the line of an earlier Roman highway, Pocklington grew during the medieval period as a wool and market town.
Built between 1815 and 1818 Pocklington Canal connected the town with the river Derwent at East Cottingwith, creating a navigable route to the Ouse at Barmby-on-the-Marsh. Some 9.5 miles long, it served to transport coal and lime to Pocklington, the returning barges carrying farm produce to the growing industrial towns. However, the canal was a relative latecomer and never fully realised its potential, the arrival of the railway in 1847 taking much of the trade.
The waterway was finally closed in 1932 and fell into dereliction until 1969. However, progressive restoration of the locks has since opened the lower reaches to traffic, while the upper section is a splendid haven for all manner of wildlife.

I have no formal walk leader or first-aid qualifications and the Group has no insurance. When you RSVP for any walk, you accept that you remain responsible for your own safety at all times. You are required to respect the walk leaderand be mindful of the safety of others. Please keep to the pace of the group and don’t go off ahead even if you think you know the route.