The best running trails around Nunnington

A really easy track to follow from Cawton to Hovingham, and judging from others' photos, one that really ought to be visited through the different seasons. My photos are from a hot sunny weekend in May, when the countryside was a blaze of yellow with flowering rapeseed.

This is a lovely pub here in Great Habton and should be a welcome break on your tour. On the weekends, the inn opens at 12 midday; on other days only at 5pm, so it's probably easier to get food here on the weekends, but even if it's closed, it would be easy to just sit on the benches outside this beautiful building and enjoy a bit of a rest.

This large church dominates the village of Kirby Misperton (Kirby is from Old Norse, meaning "church village"). The church has been in the village since the 9th century. Apparently, this was one of very few stone churches in Yorkshire at that time when almost all other churches were built of wood. Of course, as you can imagine, over the centuries, the church has undergone tremendous changes: it was completely rebuilt in the 15th century, and then lots of changes were made to it in the 19th century. It is a wonderful place to stop on your cycle while passing this interesting village.

This segment of total of peace and quiet (and I mean pretty much total) in the countryside between Stonegrave and Hovingham is a combination of paths and wider tracks. Closer to its end (Hovingham-side), you will walk along a part of the dismantled railway that used to run between Pilmoor Junction and Malton from 1853 to 1954.

A great segment on Ebor Way across the countryside west of Hovingham. Wide tracks, rolling hills (Hovingham High Wood on the slopes to the south) and green fields (best in the summer), and almost immediate peace out of the villages of Hovingham and Cawton. Pure joy to run.

A great segment on Ebor Way across the countryside west of Hovingham. Wide tracks, rolling hills (Hovingham High Wood on the slopes to the south) and green fields (best in the summer), and almost immediate peace out of the villages of Hovingham and Cawton. If you’re of that kind of temperament and you find yourself here at sunset, you’ll reacquaint yourself with your inner poet.

Stonegrave Minster is otherwise known as the Holy Trinity parish church. It was an Old Minster, and it means seriously old! It was established before 757 AD when Pope Paul I wrote to the King of Northumberland about the fact that he appointed an abbot for it. The church is known for very interesting heraldry to be found on some of the tombstones and monuments here.

There are great views to the north from here over Low Moor plantation (River Rye is hidden in the trees down below) towards North York Moors - on a clear day, the heathery slopes in the far distance can be easily made out.