A five-mile circular walk starts and ends at Cloughton railway station; the traffic-free Cinder Track leads into the North York Moors National Park as it leaves the village. These routes give Cloughton a clear focus for walking and cycling. St Mary’s Church and the dovecote at Cloughton Hall also offer a glimpse into the village’s architectural history.

Compare walking and cycling routes

The Cinder Track is a 21.7-mile route for walkers and cyclists and forms Route 1 of the National Cycle Network. From Cloughton, it leads into the national park. When planning, the condition of a particular section matters: between Scalby and Cloughton, the track has an eroded surface. Check trail conditions before your trip.

A shorter comparison is the Cloughton and Hayburn Wyke Walk, a five-mile circular route that starts and ends at Cloughton railway station. The Coast and Forest Circular offers a different distance at 32.4 miles (52.1 kilometres) and is rated moderate. Its route includes a stop at the old railway station tea rooms in Cloughton. Route details and the availability of the tea rooms may change; check both before planning if the stop matters to you.

Hayburn Wyke: Cove, Woodland and Trails

Near Cloughton, Hayburn Wyke extends to a rocky cove with a waterfall and large boulders. You can reach the area either via the Cleveland Way or by footpaths north or south of the Hayburn Wyke Inn. These alternatives offer different access points; local trail conditions can change, so it is worth checking them shortly before your visit.

The landscape also includes the mixed woodland of Hayburn Wyke, which is frequented by deer, foxes and badgers. The cove, waterfall and woodland offer a different focus from planning a route on the Cinder Track or circular trails: here, the landscape and wildlife shape the destination, without guaranteeing sightings of any particular animals.

Dovecote and Cross Dyke

The dovecote at Cloughton Hall dates from the 17th century. It has a circular floor plan measuring four metres in diameter and is topped by a domed roof. It is believed to be the only circular, multi-storey dovecote in the United Kingdom. Its floor plan, dimensions and roof shape make it a particularly vivid example of local architectural history.

Another historical feature is the Cross Dyke in Cloughton Plantations. Its layout is unusual because the ditch crosses two ridges of projecting ground separated by a small valley. The Cross Dyke is thought to mark a territorial boundary. Its distinctive form and possible function are separate aspects: the landform is described concretely, while its interpretation as a boundary remains a possibility.

St Mary’s Church and Getting Around

The present-day St Mary’s Church was built after reconstruction began in January 1832, following the collapse of the roof of the earlier chapel. Its features include a western bellcote, a five-bay nave divided into five bays, and an uninterrupted chancel. The church is accessible via a side gate; a path along the wall and a ramp lead to the entrance.

For getting around locally: Arriva routes X93/X94 stop at Playing Fields on High Street, near St Mary’s Community Hall. Check transport details before setting out. This will help you work the walking routes and places to visit mentioned above into your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Huby, Newton-Le-Willows, Sherburn In Elmet, Thornton Watlass, Wykeham, Ripon, Hetton, South Kilvington

For the wider travel overview: North Yorkshire.