Draughton can be explored through two distinct interests: circular walks, including a route through fields and woodland, and buildings with notable historical and architectural features. The main factors when choosing a walk are its length and character; the historic examples range from the Grade II-listed Guide Post to the Wheelam Kiln lime kiln. When planning, you can decide whether walking or architectural history should be the main focus.
Circular Walking Trails from Draughton
The walking guide, dated May 2020, lists seven signposted circular walks from Draughton, ranging in length from approximately 4.4 to 13 kilometres. This range gives you a first impression of the options. The specifically described circular walks differ not only in length but also in route and landscape.
The 4.4-kilometre Draughton–Holywell Bridge–Lumb Gill circular walk crosses fields and follows a grassy path through woodland alongside the Lumb Gill stream. The description therefore includes both field paths and a wooded stretch by the water. The route has a different character from a walk whose most distinctive features are a steep descent and views of named landmarks.
That applies to the 8.6-kilometre Draughton–Bolton Bridge–Halton East–Draughton circular walk: it follows a steeply descending grassy path and offers good views of Bolton Priory, Beamsley Beacon and Simon’s Seat. The two walks therefore differ in more than just length. The shorter walk’s described route features fields, woodland and the stream; the longer one combines a greater distance with a steep descent and viewpoints.
As the route descriptions come from the May 2020 walking guide, check the current route before setting out.
Buildings and Their History
Draughton’s Guide Post stands at NGR SE 03995109 on Height Lane and is a Grade II-listed building. Dating from around 1740, it is approximately 1.2 metres high and made of millstone grit. Its short stature clearly distinguishes it from the larger Wheelam Kiln, whose dimensions are also recorded.
Manor House and Manor Cottage date from 1659. The buildings also feature alterations from the late 17th century and the 20th century. Their original construction date and the two later periods make for a history that goes beyond a single date. In terms of chronology, 1659 is the earliest specific reference point among the buildings mentioned here.
Wheelam Kiln is a lime kiln dating from around 1830. It is made of dressed millstone-grit rubble and measures approximately 8 metres wide and 5 metres high. The kiln has a pair of fire openings with segmental rubble-stone arches, as well as two pits measuring approximately 2 Ă— 4 Ă— 2 metres. A segmental arch is made of wedge-shaped stones that span an opening in an arch shape; the term therefore describes a specific form of masonry.
In chronological order, Manor House and Manor Cottage, dating from 1659, come before the Guide Post from around 1740 and Wheelam Kiln from around 1830. These approximate dates remain approximate. Taken together, the examples show different building purposes and scales: a single low post, the altered buildings of Manor House and Manor Cottage, and a lime kiln with fire openings and pits.
Discover more destinations: Flaxton, Hackness, Shipton, Burythorpe, Monk Fryston, Low Row, Burrill, Crosby.
For the broader travel overview: North Yorkshire.
