Osmotherley is a very old town that Richard called a “one-horse town.” Services were scarce, and when we had trouble with our dinner reservation and no stores were open, we had some concern. Even our overnight accommodation was a bit out of town.
This story was repeated by a fellow trail walker when I was struggling with pronunciation of the town: The town was supposedly named by an Anglo-Saxon liege named Os who was very close to his mother. She died in the town, so he buried her and named the town “Os mother lay.”
Richard’s ReLive video is available here: https://www.relive.com/view/v4OGrKn7k5v
13.23 miles, 1484 feet elevation, 65 degrees upon the start of the hike.
Sutton Bank was the site of an important battle when Scottish forces under King Robert “the Bruce” routed King Edward II’s English troops.
King Edward positioned his troops in a position of power atop Sutton Bank. However, the Scots sent a detachment around the knob and outflanked the enemy October 14, 1322. King Edward was forced to recognize Scottish independence with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328.
Gormire Lake is visible from the cliff-top trail.
Much of today’s trails were wooded or in green areas. Sheep were plentiful and paid very little attention to the hikers.
Late in the day we began to see vast open spaces with scruffy cover—the moors. The sheep still are plentiful and seem to still find plenty to eat.
We see our town for tonight’s accommodation far below us. We must be close!
Here begins the stone pathways of the Cleveland Way. In good weather, they make a solid surface and the trail is visible. We were lucky not to have foul weather that might have made them slippery. After several days walking on the hard surface, my feet were bruised.
Getting down into the town seemed an endless trek. These close stones formed a natural gate, presumably small enough so the sheep could not escape. I had to remove my pack and turn sideways.
We ran into locals following the same path and asked them if we were almost to the town. “Nearly,” was the answer. (What does that mean?)
The Osmotherley Methodist Church has been in existence since 1754. John Wesley preached at the market square (outside of dinner pub).
Even with a reservation, we had difficulty with our dinner at one of the only two spots in town. Father’s Day was being celebrated.
One Response
Beautiful views! It must feel good to be headed north through Yorkshire Moors on the way to Osmotherley. This is the first Methodist church I’ve seen on your travels. Love knowing that John Wesley preached there in 1754. Hope we are faithfully carrying out his teachings!