Scenic Centenary Way

Blow away any cobwebs when you traverse the exposed, windswept Centenary Way on the outskirts of Hunmanby! This most exhilarating five-mile route encompasses a variety of scenery, and is easy to follow throughout. 
Accessible by public or private transport to the outskirts of Hunmanby. I suggest parking near the road junction, or in Hunmanby’s car park.

Starting from the road junction, ensure you take the Malton road for about a quarter of a mile, seeking a turn-off left as signed: Public Footpath Centenary Way. Field House Lodge is screened to the left, with barns opposite.

Keep to the driveway ahead, to pass Hunmanby Service Reservoir between hedging off right. A row of sycamore trees lead to Field House Farm with millstones outside. A grassy path alongside barns facing arable land quickly veers right between barns and bears left. Keep straight forward along a grassy track between open fields.

Reaching an open metal farmgate, keep straight ahead along a good grassy path between agricultural land. A gentle ascent takes you to the brow of the hill. A pair of wind turbines feature close by.

Leaving the hilltop between hedging, turn right down a hedged chalk-track. This track winds downhill, and where it ends, go straight forward as arrowed, along a narrow, grassy footpath, with a ploughed field off left. Passing trees on your right, keep beside the post and wire fencing with woodland beyond the barrier.

At the end of the field, enter a handgate and read the plaque regarding the Middleton Hunt etc. Continue on a broad, grassy track banked and hedged to the right and with graceful larch trees. Hawthorn and scrub dominate the bankside.

In the vicinity of The Camp you’ll find a three-fingered post. Keep straight ahead as signed Yorkshire Wolds Way. A delightful change of scenery via thistles and brambles either side framed by trees and bushes. Welcome to beautiful, 
remote Stocking Dale!

Following a cup of coffee here, our footpath became hemmed between banks of trees and bushes and even raspberry canes!

You shortly meet a kissing gate to the left of a farmgate, and continue between black berries!

Seek to your left, mature beech trees. An insignificant footpath leads a few yards off left to a particularly robust beech tree adorned with bracket fungi. Look carefully below the fungi to discern a “sculpture” on the tree trunk. It has faded considerably with age, but you’ll observe a war tank and gun, along with the letters IPPP 24 G. Do you know the meaning of the inscription? We understand it’s Polish.

Proceed along the footpath, which opens up as you approach a fenced field to your left and a banked, way-marked footpath. To the left perimeter is an arable field. An arrowed post guides you beside left hedging with a field of winter barley opposite. A row of hedging divides the fields before your path swings right at a Wolds Way sign, uphill midst ash trees. You’re now alongside what is called Long Plantation, with barley fields to your right.

At the far end of the field, a farm track continues to Stockendale Farm.

Meeting the Malton road once more, turn right and keep close to the roadside verge as you return to the road junction. It can be a very busy road at weekends!

You may decide to spent a little time exploring Hunmanby. It’s a most interesting village, and steeped in history.

Distance: 5 miles approximately.

Refreshment: The Cottage pub, on the parking square: Chinese take away; fish and chips, Co-op food shop and supermarket, Premier supermarket etc. Plenty of options in Hunmanby.