Two railway bridges mark the entrances to Stainsacre. The historic collection of buildings and the former railway connection give the village further architectural and historical dimensions. There are also specific differences to consider when choosing a route: the Cinder Track is used by walkers and mountain bikers; one described walk passes through the Stainsacre Beck valley into the village.
Historic Stainsacre: Hall, Farmhouse and Village Character
Stainsacre Hall is part of the historic collection of buildings that forms the basis of the settlement. In general, this collection is characterised by modest one-and-a-half-storey cottages. It also features red clay-tile roofs, stone water tabling and brick chimneys. These features describe the architectural character of the collection as a whole. A curved stone wall with rounded coping stones forms the entrance to Stainsacre Hall and runs along Stainsacre Lane.
Dale Farmhouse dates from the mid-18th century and probably incorporates remains of an older house. The farmhouse and the outbuildings attached to its rear are listed as a Grade II building. At The Larches, stone hoods and mullion details stand out against the brick construction. The house was probably built around the turn of the 20th century as a result of the railway.
The village’s history extends beyond individual buildings: the settlement’s origins are thought to have centred around a corn mill, which was dismantled in the 1940s. Stainsacre lay on the railway line between Scarborough and Whitby. This historical connection should be distinguished from the possible influence of the railway on The Larches: the link to its construction is probable, not certain.
The Cinder Track and a Walk Through the Valley
The Cinder Track is a 21.7-mile former railway line from Scarborough to Whitby. Its surface is made of railway cinders, and the route is used by walkers and mountain bikers. It is therefore a separate route option from Stainsacre’s former railway connection. At the turn-off for Stainsacre, the Cinder Track has a ramp providing access to the Windmill Inn and Stainsacre Lane.
A walking route description published in 2022 outlines a 7-mile walk starting from Hawsker. It presents the route through the Stainsacre Beck valley as an alternative to a section of the former railway line and takes walkers into the village of Stainsacre. The described route includes a ford and a footbridge over the beck.
The 7 miles of the described walk and the 21.7 miles of the Cinder Track are different route lengths to consider when planning a trip. The route features also differ: the former follows the valley and includes a ford and footbridge, while the latter has a railway-cinder surface and is used by both walkers and mountain bikers. Path and crossing conditions can change; check the condition of your chosen route and crossings before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Hackness, Sleights, Clapham, Reeth, Bainbridge, Shipton, Birstwith, Bradley.
For the regional travel overview: North Yorkshire.
