Purple Route Accessible Trail and Heritage Walk
Overview
- Start point: Pinchinthorpe Branchwalk Way Visitor Centre
- Distance: 1.85 Km
- Approximate time: minimum 35 minutes
- Terrain: mostly flat route along wide accessible paths through wooded area and along the old railway line
- Accessibility notes: this route follows the new accessible trail created by Forestry England. Some woodland sections have very minor easy inclines.
- End point: Visitor Centre
The Purple Route follows the accessible trail from the visitor centre at the Pinchinthorpe Branchwalk way, and takes in a number of points of interest along the old railway line, nature ponds and the adjacent wooden area.
Along this route, interpretation points highlight the railway history, landscape features and everyday paths that shaped this area. The heritage information for these points was researched and developed by the Guisborough Community Heritage Group.
The numbered points correspond to locations in the text below
Walking the Route
Start at the Visitor Centre
From the Visitor Centre (1), head west along the walkway towards Nunthorpe.
On your left you’ll see a white building. This was the first Pinchinthorpe Railway Station (2), opened in 1854. When the level crossing was replaced by a road bridge in the 1870s, the station closed and a larger second station opened on the far side of the bridge.
Continue under the bridge. The second station is now a private house, and the old waiting room on the right is used by countryside wardens. Both stations were originally misspelled as “Pinchingthorpe” until the 1920s.
Coal depot and railway artefacts
Retrace your steps towards the Visitor Centre. In the car park, the sandstone wall (now part of the disabled parking area) once formed the coal depot (3), where coal wagons waited.
Continue along the main path. On your right you’ll see the Codhill Kibble (4), a bucket-shaped container used in local mining operations.
A little further on stands the 1960s Train Carriage (5), now used as an education and meeting space.
Into the woodland
Follow the Purple Route markers into the trees, opposite the second entrance to the play park. This Wooded Path (6) runs parallel to the railway walkway. On your right is the new Forest bathing area and activity area with shelter.
At the crossroads beyond the picnic tables, continue straight ahead and then veer left back into the trees.
If you prefer a shorter walk, you can turn left here and rejoin the railway path back to the Visitor Centre.
As you walk, notice how the woodland has regenerated over time. Look for interpretation boards which help identify trees, birds and wildlife along the way.
The Victorian Dog Kennel and pheasantry
Along this woodland path you’ll find the remains of a small sandstone structure that was the Victorian Dog Kennel (7).
This area once had a number of pheasantry (long gone) which were cared for by the gamekeeper who lived in the cottage further up the bank.
Bricks, drains and old crossings
At the end of the path, turn left downhill. Through the undergrowth you may spot traces of a brick storage area (8). These bricks were made by the Pease family at their brickworks further North and used in many local buildings.
On the right-hand side of the path is a man-made land drain(9) which channels spring water beneath the railway line into a pond.
Pass through the stone gateposts (10). This was once a crossing point for farmers moving cattle from grazing on Bousdale Hill and down into Guisborough to the Cattle mart. Nearby, a small tunnel allowed livestock to pass safely under the railway and from there to Lowcross Farm (Next to the Visitor Centre).
Ridge and furrow and the ponds
As you turn left towards the Visitor Centre, look across the fields on your right. You can still see traces of medieval ridge and furrow farming (11), especially when the sun is low or there is frost on the ground.
Old maps show this area was altered over time to create the ponds you see today, now home to ducks, herons, newts, toads and frogs.
A final pause
As you return, take time to enjoy the information boards and reflect on how this landscape has changed from the days of mining and railways to the woodland you see today.
Thank you for taking time to explore the Purple Route. We hope you’ve discovered something new and enjoyed a peaceful walk through Guisborough Forest. 🌿
Background and heritage
This route draws together themes including:
- transport and railway heritage
- woodland use and industry
- changes to the landscape over time
- everyday routes and local memory
Practical information
- Please wear suitable footwear
- Paths may be muddy in wet weather
- Take care on uneven ground
- Dogs should be kept under control
Related routes
You can explore our other walking routes from the Walking Routes page.
Get involved
If you have information, memories or research related to this route, we’d love to hear from you.
Please visit the Get Involved / Contact page to find out how to contribute.