Walk: Reeth Circular via Fremington Edge

This was a circular walk taking in Reeth – Grinton – Marrick Priory – Fremington Edge. Ann has sent through some of her pictures for us.

We met in Reeth market square and walked towards the river to cross the suspension bridge over the Swale. Unfortunately the direct path to the bridge was closed and so we had to follow a diversion further west. This was well signed but added a mile to our walk. Having crossed the river we walked along the south side to Grinton Church. We met guests arriving for a wedding and for the next two miles to Marrick Priory, we walked to the sound of church bells. Marrick Priory, which dates from the 12th century, was once a house for Benedictine nuns; it is now used as an outdoor centre for school children. We stopped for coffee outside the abbey before ascending the steep woodland path known as “the nuns’steps” to the small village of Marrick. This once supported two chapels but both are now converted to private houses. From Marrick we followed Fremington Edge with fine views of Grinton and Reeth in the valley below before descending steeply to the river below and back to Reeth,pausing on route to talk to the donkeys which are usually to be found in a field at the edge of the village