Some walks never lose their appeal, no matter how many times you do them. This is one of ours.
When guests arrive at the Long Barn, one of the first things they’ll find is our personalised Ordnance Survey map. We had it specially created with Appleton-le-Moors at its centre so guests only have to take one map out with them when they go out in the North York Moors.
The photograph on the cover isn’t there by chance. It was chosen because every time we walk down the hill towards Sinnington, we find ourselves stopping for just a moment to admire this view. After all these years, we still never tire of it.
The Little Shed
Part way down the hill sits a small field shelter with a lone tree beside it. It’s hardly a landmark that would appear in a guidebook, but over the years it has become one of those familiar sights we always look out for.
The fields belong to the Milestone family, who have farmed here for generations. Roy and John are sadly no longer with us, and Paul continues the family tradition today.
Roy was one of the first people to come to our rescue when we were converting the Long Barn. Our biomass boiler arrived unexpectedly after the builders had gone home for the day. With no way of unloading it, Roy appeared with one of his machines and calmly lifted it off the lorry for us. He saved the day, and it’s one of those acts of kindness we’ve never forgotten. It’s little moments like that which make village life so special.
A View Worth Stopping For
From the gate at the top of the hill, the path opens up to one of our favourite views across to Sinnington.
In fact, we loved it so much that we bought a print of it by local artist Peter Watson. When Peter hand-delivered the framed picture, he told us the original had been commissioned by friends of ours. Somehow that seemed entirely fitting. It was obviously a view they couldn’t resist either. The print now hangs in our house and reminds us daily of one of the walks we enjoy most.
A Walk to Enjoy in Every Season
One of the pleasures of this route is how much it changes throughout the year.
Spring brings fresh green fields and birdsong.
Summer fills the hedgerows with blossom and wildflowers.
Autumn paints the trees with colour.
Winter often delivers clear skies and far-reaching views over the moors.
We’ve shared the path with countless guests over the years. One December we met a cheerful group staying at the Long Barn for a “Friendmas” celebration, all proudly wearing Christmas jumpers as they headed down the hill. It still makes us smile whenever we think about it.
Dog owners particularly enjoy this route as the path leads down towards the river, where four-legged walkers can enjoy a paddle before heading back.
It’s one of the reasons this walk features on our recommended walks from the door; guests tell us they enjoy having a proper map they can tuck into a pocket rather than relying on a phone. We hope it helps them discover favourite places of their own.
The Perfect Finish
If we’re walking to Sinnington, there’s every chance we’ll finish at the Fox and Hounds.
A relaxed lunch, a pint in the garden on a sunny day, and then an easy walk back to Appleton. It’s a simple pleasure we’ve enjoyed many times.
Some places become favourites because they’re spectacular.
Others become favourites because they just become part of your life.
This walk is one of ours.
We’ve walked it in sunshine, snow, drizzle and frost. It changes with the seasons, but it always feels familiar. It’s one of those places that reminds us why we chose to make our home here.
If you’re staying at the Long Barn, you’ll find it printed out for you, along with a number of our other favourite walks. We hope that, by the time you return home, it has become one of your favourite walks too.
Discover more favourite places from the Long Barn in our collection of stories from the North York Moors.
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