The Gallops of Middleham

• High and airy panorama over Wensleydale
• Visit the ruins of Coverham Abbey
• Middleham is a Dales favourite village

On any walk from Middleham it is impossible to avoid two things. The first is the splendid castle which dominates this most attractive of villages and was a firm favourite of Richard III whilst the second is horses – racehorses by the dozen. Racehorse training in Middleham has been around for 200 years and there are still 15 firmly established, and successful, training stables in the village. As I headed out over the gallops with its splendid views over Wensleydale the poor dog did not know quite what to do with thoroughbreds coming at her from all angles. After a mile and a half the walk leaves the high ground and enters Tupgill Park, the home of the Forbidden Corner (a 4 acre 20th century popular tourist attraction). Fortunately it was closed as I headed for the river and the beautiful cluster of houses, church and ruined abbey of Coverham. The woods banking the River Cover are another lovely spot to dawdle before heading back to Middleham. I am not sure there is any walk I have completed which packs so much in to such a relatively small area.

Recommend: The gates outside Coverham Abbey were locked but there appears to be no objection for walkers to skirt the gates on the wall. I checked with some locals and they said the locked gates were to stop motorists not walkers.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL30 Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central areas
Start Point:	128878. There is plenty of parking in Middleham.
Terrain:	Easy walking throughout. If you do not wish to take on the locked gates at Coverham stick to the side road a few hundred yards to the north.
Eating & Drinking:	Middleham really is a cracking place - there is a good tea shop and 2 traditional pubs, the Black Bull and the White Swan - as it should be!
Similar Walks Nearby:	Penhill Beacon from West Witton The Moors of Carlton The River Ure at Jervaulx Abbey
Places to Stay:	Westfields B & B, nr Leyburn