Danby Beacon Walk
This circular walk from the village of Danby climbs to Danby Beacon, an important historical, ecological, and recreational site situated at the top of Beacon Hill near Danby. The Beacon offers excellent viewpoints, with stunning vistas over the North York Moors, the Fryup Dales, and out to sea.
The Danby Beacon walk follows field and moor tracks and quiet country lanes, offering splendid views of the heather-covered moors and the River Esk.
Parking: Danby Lodge National Park Centre. 54.465219, -0.894682
Refreshments: The Duke of Wellington, Danby
Here is a route map for the Danby Beacon walk
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Danby Beacon Walk
Distance: 10 km
The Danby Beacon walk begins at the car park near the Danby Lodge National Park Centre, where you'll find information, exhibitions, and refreshments set in 13 acres of grounds on the banks of the River Esk. You'll first travel over fields, through woodland, and then across open moorland onto the Esk Valley Trail, which leads up to Danby Beacon.
Photo © David Robinson (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Danby Beacon is one of the area's highest points, historically used to light fires that signaled across the country. Once home to a large RAF radar station with masts, anti-aircraft guns, and even a small cinema, it's now a windswept spot with stunning sea views. The beacon has long served as a lookout against enemy invasion, evolving from fire signals to radar technology. What began as bonfires to warn of threats became radio waves as technology advanced. Today, Danby Beacon remains a key part of local celebrations and historical events.
In 2004, the Danby Beacon Trust was formed to build a new beacon. The community came together for fundraising through dances, fashion shows, and other activities, while the Trust secured planning permission and raised funds through grants and sponsorships.
Take time to explore the area before continuing down into the village of Houlsyke, a charming hamlet with lovely stone houses. From there, you'll travel along a quiet country road parallel to the River Esk until you reach Duck Bridge. Believed to date originally from the 14th century, Duck Bridge is named after George Duck, a local landowner who rebuilt the bridge in 1717. It is a Grade II listed packhorse bridge and is thought to be one of only 16 single-span medieval bridges in England that remain largely unaltered.
From the bridge, you'll head towards Danby Castle, where you can see the remains of a 14th-century castle once inhabited by Catherine Parr before she became the sixth wife of Henry VIII. The walk then leads you into the bustling village of Danby, where you can rest and enjoy refreshments at the pub "The Duke of Wellington." The final part of the walk takes you along Lodge Lane back to the car park.
Please take care and be aware that there is some road walking on this route.
Refreshments
The Duke of Wellington, Danby
The Duke of Wellington is a charming 18th-century inn overlooking the village green in the heart of Danby, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the North York Moors. Owned by Grant Douglas since 1999, it’s often considered one of the most handsome inns in the area. With beamed ceilings and an open fire, the inn offers a warm and friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy a drink, a meal, and unwind. Over the years, the inn has been thoughtfully updated to provide good value accommodation while preserving its original character and charm.
