Yesterday the sun was shining, I had nothing I had to do, so I thought I would go walking. A few weeks ago I was planning a walk on an Ordnance Survey map, North York Moors Western Area, I noticed a marked structure "Mount Snever Observatory (disused)". The usual question followed, what's that?, so I did a little research and planned to include a look in a walk. Yesterday was the day for that walk.
I caught a bus from York to Byland Abbey, about 50 minutes journey. North Yorkshire has more than its fair share of ruined abbeys from the Dissolution.
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| An artist's impression of Byland Abbey |
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| Byland Abbey as it is now |
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| Start of the walk |
From Byland the route was up, onto the ridge and onto land owned by the Forestry Commission.
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| Looking back, down to the village of Wass |
Much of the forestry was planted between the World Wars and later, but some of it was old. Through an older patch, round a corner to find Mount Snever Observatory.
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| Situated on the edge of the ridge, built in 1836. |
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| Built for a local landowner, John Wormald |
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| Unfortunately the views are obscured by trees |
The route was almost straight down the ridge, into Oldstead, then along the valley, back to Byland.
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| View of Cocker Dale |
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| The remains of the Abbey's gatehouse |
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| And so back to the bus stop |
A very pleasant walk, with good views. Around 5 miles, or 2 hours 20mins. I met nobody, I had it all to myself.
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| Arial photo, pinched from the web. |
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