Guided Heritage Walks for 2020/2021
News from Loftus ACCORD Walking Group
It's been a busy few months for Loftus ACCORD Walking Group, with several guided walks taking place as well as work on footpaths around the Loftus area. The group has also been distributing copies of the four walks leaflets it produced with funding from Awards for All. It's planned and led six guided walks so far this year, with a total of some 150 walkers taking part; the group also delivered walks for Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council's Summer 2018 Walking Festival.
Footpath repair and enhancement work has been taking place in locations such as Swalwell Wood, Handale and along the path between Liverton and Waupley. This work has involved close collaboration with the borough council and the North York Moors National Park Authority. Marshall Best, Chair of the group says "Loftus Parish was awarded Walkers are Welcome status in 2015 and since then volunteers have worked hard to provide walks, keep paths in good condition and promote the district as a place for visitors and local residents to appreciate and enjoy. We also work with the borough council to put on weekly health walks that start outside Loftus Library at 1.15pm on Fridays.( Currently leaving from outside Loftus Town Hall due to Government restrictions ). New walkers are very welcome to join us on a choice of a short or longer walk."
There's free parking at South View off North Road TS13 4JL; Loftus is served by Arriva buses X4 and 5. No booking is needed for these walks; for more information phone 01287 641000 or email For more general information about walking in the Loftus area, please visit or email
2020
Walk of Contentment
To celebrate Mental Awareness Day, Loftus ACCORD Walking Group will organise and lead a Walk of Contentment starting from Loftus Town Hall on Tuesday 21st January at 10.30am. There will be frequent stops to discuss information on historical points of interest along the way. The leisurely walk of approximately 2 hrs duration will finish at Loftus Town Hall where refreshments will be available.
Redcar & Cleveland Winter Walking Festival
31th January - February 3rd 2020
Errington Circular 4 miles
Friday 31st January 10am - 12.30
Meetingpoint: Errington Wood car park, New Marske, NZ 618 612
Highcliff Nab and Hutton Heritage 7 miles
Friday 31st January 10.30am - 3.30pm
Meeting point: Guisborough Forest & Walkway Visitor Centre, TS14 8HD, NZ 584 152
Saltburn Circular 4 miles
Saturday 1st February 10am - 1pm
Meeting point: Cat Nab car park, Saltburn, NZ 6679 2152
An Augustinian Way 11.5 miles
Saturday 1st February 10am - 4pm
Meeting point: Loftus Town Hall, TS13 4HG
Park to Park 6 miles
Sunday 2nd February 10am - 2pm
Meeting point: Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park, TS6 0NN
Handale Abbey Trail 6 miles
Sunday 2nd February 10.30am - 3pm
Meeting point: Loftus Town Hall, TS13 4HG
Guided Bird Walk 3 miles
Monday 3rd February 10am - 12 noon
Meeting point: Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park, TS6 0NN
Saxon Princess Trail 4 miles
Monday 3rd February 10.30am - 2pm
Meeting point: Loftus Town Hall, TS13 4HG
For more details and to book please view thier website at
Sunday 8th March
THE WAY OF SAINT HILD
A PILGRIMAGE FROM HARTLEPOOL TO WHITBY
To celebrate the launch of The Way of Saint Hild pilgrimage walk on March 8th 2020, which starts from St Hilda's Church on the Headland at Hartlepool and finishes at Whitby Abbey using The England Coast Path. Loftus ACCORD Walking Group will lead walks on various sections of the route on the day of the launch.
The section from Saltburn to Skinningrove, 4 miles meet at the pier Saltburn for a 10.30am start.
The section from Skinningrove to Staithes, 5.5 miles, meet at the Beach Car Park Skinningrove for a 10.30am start.
The section from Staithes to Sandsend, 9 miles, meet at the Cod and Lobster Public House on the sea front Staithes for a 9.30am start.
All walks are linear with Public Transport return. Please bring refreshments for the journey and wear suitable footwear.
Fungus Foray
Thursday October 15th 2020
We are delighted to advise that Mr.Alan Simkins , Fungi Recorder , N.E.England , has kindly arranged to lead us on a Fungi exploration walk in the Warren Woodland on South Town Lane , Loftus on Thursday 15th October .
We shall meet outside Loftus Town Hall for 10:30 am start and will walk up to the woodland area to join Alan at around 11 am.
Depending on numbers attending we shall walk in groups of 6 and follow current Government guidelines in respect to social distancing etc.
Loftus woodands have revealed rich and diverse species of Fungi of which many are indicators of climate change and we shall look forward to learning more from this Kingdom which surrounds us.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2021 from all at Loftus ACCORD Walking Group We will endeavour to put a program of walks together for 2021 even if we have to cancel a walk at the last minute due to Government restrictions.
2021
3S's Walk, Thursday 13th May
Scenery steel and sea, Please meet outside Loftus Town Hall, Loftus Market Place, TS13 4HG for a 10.30 start.
Come on a free guided walk, through Rosecroft wood over the railway viaduct to Kilton Lane, Carlinhow and down to Skinningrove Jetty where we will stop for a lunch break ( please bring light refreshments if required}, returning to Loftus via The Cleveland Street Trail to North Terrace and North Road.
Arriva bus services 5 and x4 run through Loftus Market Place and there is a free public car park at South View, signed from the market place.
Bluebell Walk, May 18th 2021
Please meet outside Loftus Town Hall, Loftus Market Place, TS13 4HG for a 10.30 start.
We shall head south to Loftus Wood to observe the display of Bluebells and other wild flowers, we will stop for a short break around in Handale Abbey walled garden, returning to Loftus via Liverton Village and Rosecrft wood, so please bring light refreshments if required and wear suitable clothing and foot wear for off road walking. Arriva bus services 5 and x4 run through Loftus Market Place and there is a public carpark at South view, signed from market place.
Tuesday 15th June 2021 – Geology walk
There is a free guided walk starting from Errington Woods public car park at NZ 618203 on Tuesday 15th. June at 10:30 am
Mr. Alan Simkins , Geologist , will lead the walk where we shall examine some of the rock forma1ons which have had their origins traced back in 1me to the Jurassic Period of Earths history
Walkers are requested to wear sturdy boots, bring light refreshments and have waterproof clothing if needed.
Tuesday 13th July 2021 – Geology walk
There is a free guided walk starting from the slipway adjoining Ship Inn , Saltburn on Tuesday 13th. July at 11:00 am
Mr. Alan Simkins , Geologist , will lead the walk where we shall examine the strata along the section of coastline towards Skinningrove and also look for erratics which , if found , could help us identtify their point of origin.
Walkers are requested to wear wellington boots and a walking stick is recommended Please bring light refreshments and have waterproof clothing if needed.
No booking needed ; for more information phone 01287 641000 or e-mail office@lotustc.co.uk or alternatavely info@walkinglotusandthenorthyorkshirecoast.com
There is a free guided walk from Loftus Town Hall to Hummersea Alum Quarries on Thursday 26th August starting at 10:30 am
With Geologist , Alan Simkins we shall visit the moonscape like terrain which provides the visible evidence of the Alum industry which spanned the period from 1650 to 1863.
From deep within the Alum and Cement shales were extracted the fossilised remains of a Pterosaur, Rhomaleosaurus Zetlandicus , donated to York Museum in 1852 and Plesiosaurus.
Bring your magnifying lens to examine specimen fragments of fossilised reptiles which inhabited planet earth up until their extinction during the Cretaceous period some 66 million years ago.
We shall walk along established paths into the quarry area . Walkers are requested to wear sturdy boots, bring light refreshments and have waterproof clothing if needed.
Loftus Market Place is served by Arriva X4 and 5 buses.
No booking needed; for more information phone 01287 641000 or e-mail info@walkingloftusandthenorthyorkshirecoast.com