Rich rewards

Jonathan Manning tackles a hilly route which serves up spectacular views on the way to the castle town of Richmond

Campers who tune their radios to commercial stations will be familiar with advertisements for pensions and ISAs.

A seductive voice sells the dream of effortless moneymaking and comfortable retirements, before gabbling the small print faster than a horse racing commentator. As with the cautionary messages linked to financial services, this ride from Richmond Hargill House Club Campsite has its ups and downs.

The highs are spellbinding views, exhilarating descents and the handsome town of Richmond close to the end. And the lows? Well, actually they’re the ups – long and occasionally steep ascents that demand extra effort for these spectacular rewards.

The route starts with a gleeful freewheel down to Gilling West from where it heads west. The roads are so quiet that some stretches have started to grow a grass ‘mohican’ down the middle, with wild flowers adding colour to the verges and hedgerows.

Gradually the route climbs into more of a typical Dales landscape of drystone walls, before hay meadows and grazing pasture give way to moorland and the red flags of the Army’s Feldom ranges.

Fleeting glimpses of the River Swale appear on the descent into Richmond, where the route deliberately heads down to the two bridges that cross the river for a double serving of panoramas that best showcase Richmond Castle’s strategic position above the Swale.

Richmond is a good place to stop for a snack and a drink, but be careful not to over-indulge – it’s another stiff climb to get back to the Club site!

You can download this route from our dedicated Strava page here.

Directions

1. From Richmond Hargill House Club Campsite turn left downhill and continue to Gilling West.

2. 1.2km – In Gilling West take the first right, signposted to Whashton and Barnard Castle, and in 450m turn left along Hartforth Lane, signposted to Hartforth. Continue for 1.6km, looking out for a turn on the left to Whashton.

3. 3.2km – Take the left turn to Whashton and continue to reach a T-junction.

4. 5.9km – Turn left at the T-junction, and continue uphill to Whashton Green. At the top of the hill, immediately after passing Mount Pleasant Farm on the right, look out for a right turn.

5. 7.2km – Take the right turn, signposted to Marske and Reeth. Stay on this road for 4km, eventually reaching a T-junction.

6. 11.5km – Turn left at the T-junction, signposted to Richmond, which soon becomes a fast descent into the town. Continue to reach a T-junction opposite TotalEnergies filling station.

7. 16.1km – Turn right at the T-junction, and in 140m turn left at the mini-roundabout, descending to an old bridge across the Swale (fabulous views from the bridge). Cross the bridge and brace yourself for a stiff climb. At the top of the climb, turn left on Theakston Lane and continue steeply downhill to a T-junction.

8. 18km – Turn left at the T-junction and follow the road back across the river and then up into town, staying on this road as it switches back to the right and reaches a roundabout, with a Lidl store opposite. Turn right at the roundabout, continue for 700m to the next roundabout (having passed a Gulf petrol station on the right), and take the left turn signposted to Gilling West and Winston along the B6274. Continue into Gilling West, passing Grade I-listed St Agatha’s Church on the left, and keep going to the end of the village.

9. 24.3km – At the end of Gilling West (point 2 of the ride), turn right signposted to Melsonby and Scotch Corner, heading straight and uphill to reach the Club site on the right.

About the route

• Start/finish: Richmond Hargill House Club Campsite, Hargill, Gilling West, Richmond DL10 5LJ.
• Distance: 16 miles/ 25.5km.
• Time: 2 hours.
• Level: Suitable for fitter riders (460m of ascent) and e-bikes.
• Terrain: Asphalt all the way, but not all in good condition. Road, gravel, hybrid and e-bikes are ideal.
• Landscape: Farmland, moorland and woodland.
• Refreshments: Lots of choice in Richmond; The Angel Inn, Gilling West.

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The Caravan and Motorhome Club make no warranties concerning the accuracy or completeness of the routes published, which to the best of our knowledge were correct at the time of publication. Your use of the routes is at your own risk and we accept no responsibility for the suitability or safety of any routes published. Routes may be out of date or affected by changes to the physical environment and, to the extent permitted by law, we accept no responsibility for personal injury or property damage caused by your use of the routes.