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Stamford Bridge Walks

4.3 miles (7 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This historic village is located in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It includes an ancient Ford on the River Derwent, a noteworthy old railway viaduct, an 18th century mill and the site of a significant 11th century battle.
This circular walk from the village visits the site of the Battle of Stamford Bridge before a riverside stroll along the River Derwent. You'll also pass the railway viaduct where there is a short cycling and walking trail running along the line.
The walk starts in the village where you can pick up the Minster Way and follow the waymarked footpath south east towards Battle Flat the site of the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. Although Harold Godwinson repelled these Norwegian invaders, his army was defeated by the Normans at Hastings less than three weeks later.
Near Winchmore the route turns west to follow pleasant country lanes to High and Low Catton. Here you turn north to Smackdam Bridge and the viaduct before picking up a riverside path to take you back into the village.

Postcode

YO41 1AX - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Stamford Bridge OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Stamford Bridge Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Stamford Bridge

  • York River Walk - Enjoy an easy stroll along the River Ouse on this waterside circular walk through York
  • York Walls Walk - This walk takes you around the city walls in the historic city of York
  • Foss Walk - Follow the River Foss, from the historic city of York to Easingwold, on this lovely riverside walk through Yorkshire
  • Ebor Way - Follow the Ebor Way from Helmsley to Ilkley on this walk through Yorkshire
  • York to Selby - This lovely cycle and walk route starts on the banks of the River Ouse in the city of York and follows the Trans Pennine Trail and the York to Selby Railway Path south to Selby.
    The mostly flat, off road route is ideal for a relaxing afternoon's cycling or walking and has views of York racecourse and the River Ouse
  • York to Bishopthorpe - This is a popular riverside walk from the centre of York to the nearby village of Bishopthorpe
  • Naburn Locks - This walk visits the pretty Naburn Locks on the River Ouse, just south of the city of York.
  • Wheldrake Woods - These pretty woods near York have some lovely peaceful walking trails to try.
  • Bishop Wilton - This pretty little village in the East Riding of Yorkshire is a pleasant place to start a walk into the Yorkshire Wolds
  • Millington Woods - Visit these delightful woods in the Yorkshire Wolds on this short walk near Pocklington
  • Hagg Wood - Visit these bluebell woods in Dunnington and enjoy a series of peaceful woodland walking trails through the attractive coniferous woodland
  • Strensall Common - Strensall Common lies just to the east of the North Yorkshire village of Strensall.
  • Kilnwick Percy - This walk explores the hamlet of Kilnwick Percy near Pocklington in East Riding of Yorkshire.
  • Acaster Malbis - This small Yorkshire village sits a few miles south of York on the River Ouse.

Pubs/Cafes

The Three Cups is a good choice for some post walk refreshment. The pub sits on a site said to have been a camp for soldiers waiting to take part in the 1066 battle. They serve good food and have a nice garden area for warmer days. You can find them on York Road with postcode YO41 1AX.

Dog Walking

The country trails make for a fine dog walk and The Three Cups mentioned above is also very dog friendly with water and treats available.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

For more walking ideas in the area see the Yorkshire Wolds Walks page.

Photos

Centre of Stamford Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 723688

Village centre. The junction of the A166 and Church Road. The photo was taken looking west towards the Square. The village Post Office, HSBC Bank, and two of the four public houses, The Stamford and The Swordsman can be seen.

Battle Flat - geograph.org.uk - 285158

Here on 25th September 1066, Harold Godwinson claimed victory for the English over Harald Hardrade and the viking invaders at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

Stamford Bridge, The Square from southwest c.1913 (archive ref PO-1-133-5) (25160921101)

Stamford Bridge at the turn of the 20th century. A familiar sight to anyone who knows this East Yorkshire village, but with the absence of the heavy traffic that now populates this street. The building now occupied by The Bay Horse pub is visible in the background.

Derwent in Stamford Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1323992

The river Derwent passing through Stamford Bridge. Taken from the viaduct of the old railway hosting a cycle track now rather than trains.

Stamford Bridge Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 910964

Stamford Bridge Viaduct. Viaduct where the York to Beverley railway line crosses the River Derwent, west of the village, looking north-northwest from the top of the field near Fox Glade off Huntsmans Lane. The high viaduct consists of 15 brick arches and an iron span above the river. The railway was proposed by George Hudson "the Railway King" who lived at Londesborough Hall just north of Market Weighton. The track between York and Market Weighton opened on 3rd October 1847 but the continuation of the line to Beverley was delayed until 1st May 1865. This was due largely to Hudson's downfall after the collapse of the over-inflated railway share price when he was accused of corruption, bribing MPs and selling land he did not own. Hudson left Londesborough in disgrace and was imprisoned in York Castle for debt in 1865. The line closed to passengers in November 1965 after Richard Beeching's 1962 report on the viability of the railways, but locals have always argued that this was a mistake and to this day there is an ongoing campaign to have the railway reopened.

Stamford Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 910969

Arched stone road bridge over the River Derwent, completed in 1727 by the East Riding County Council to designs by William Etty of York. An earlier medieval bridge had crossed the river some 150 yards upstream, and before that there was an apparently narrow wooden bridge somewhere nearby which was mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, in the description of the famous battle of 1066 when King Harold defeated Earl Tostig and Harold Hardrada before getting one in the eye at Hastings.

Millsike Beck - geograph.org.uk - 399243

Millsike Beck, south east of the village. Rather a lot lighter than my previous attempt taken as the sun was setting. Along the embankment the old Beverley railway used to run. Along the hedgerow is Millsike Beck.

Stamford Bridge Cricket Club - geograph.org.uk - 1824975

Stamford Bridge Cricket Club

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Stamford Bridge.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Stamford Bridge.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)