Page 194 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

192 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

The Dissolution of
WALKING THE CLEVELAND
WAY NATIONAL TRAIL the Monasteries
When the Pope refused to annul his
The 176-km (109-mile) Cleveland Way marriage to Catherine of Aragon in
National Trail crosses the North Moors 1531, Henry VIII had himself declared
National Park in a horseshoe-shaped Head of the Church of England. As
route from the market town of Helmsley well as helping solve his marriage
to Saltburn on the coast and along to problems, this enabled him and his
Filey. Several companies offer a luggage- minister, Cromwell, to sieze power
transfer service for long-distance from the Catholic Church in England.
walkers, or there are many possibilities Taking his lead from the Protestant
for shorter, circular walks. Information Reformation in Europe, Henry VIII
can be found on the trail website (www. claimed to be fighting the greed and
nationaltrail.co.uk/ClevelandWay). corruption of the Church. By 1540,
over 850 monasteries and shrines
WHERE TO STAY had been closed and their wealth
and property diverted to the Crown.
AROUND GISBOROUGH PRIORY Above The splendid Gothic east gable of
King’s Head moderate Gisborough Priory
Award-winning B&B comprising two 0 Great Ayton
adjoining 17th-century cottages at 9 Gisborough Priory North Yorks; TS9 6NB
the foot of Roseberry Topping. Twelve North Yorks; TS14 6HG For eight years the boyhood home
en-suite rooms. Breakfast of bacon, black
pudding, sausages and Whitby kippers. Little remains of this 14th-century of explorer Captain James Cook, this
The Green, Newton-under-Roseberry Augustine monastery (closed Mon, is a delightful village with views of
TS9 6QR; 8 km (5 miles) on A171 Tue), but the towering skeleton of the distinctively shaped sandstone
and A173; 01642 722 318; the eastern gable gives an idea hill, the Roseberry Topping. The High
www.kingsheadinn.co.uk
of what a masterpiece the building Green has a statue of 16-year-old Cook
AROUND HELMSLEY must have been. Founded in AD looking towards Staithes and the sea.
Pheasant Hotel expensive 1119 by the Bruce family, who Low Green, on the banks of the Leven,
Stylish country hotel 5 km (3 miles) became kings of Scotland, the is a great picnic spot. The Postgate
from Helmsley, with an award-winning priory was twice rebuilt. After School is now the Captain Cook
restaurant and a quiet setting the Dissolution of the Monasteries Schoolroom Museum (Apr–Oct: open
overlooking the village duck pond.
Sixteen rooms, indoor pool and under Henry VIII, the priory was daily pm). Cook’s mother and five
comfortable lounge and bar areas. acquired by the Chaloner family, siblings are buried at the 12th-century
Harome, Helmsley YO62 5JG; 01439 who created a magnificent garden church of All Saints (Apr–Oct: open
771 241; www.thepheasanthotel.com on the site. A music festival is staged daily pm) on the Low Green.
here at the end of July. ª Carry on along the A173, taking the
Below Rievaulx Abbey, once one of the great ª Go west on the Middlesbrough B1257 left for a fabulous 32-km (20-
abbeys in Yorkshire Below right Statue of Road (A171), then left on the A173 mile) drive. Turn right at the sign for
James Cook the explorer, Great Ayton to Great Ayton. Rievaulx Abbey. Park by the entrance.

Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

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