A gem with a sparkle at its heart

3:35pm Thursday 3rd May 2007

CELIA MORLEY takes us on a riverside stroll round the picturesque village of Sinnington, perfect for a spring afternoon when the toothwort is in bloom.

Sinnington is a gem of a village with a mystery that nobody has been able, as yet to answer - the little bridge that leads to nowhere across the green. It may have been a flood channel or it may have been an old water course, nobody is quite certain of its origin, the stuff of legends.

The village has just about every attractive feature that anyone could desire of a village: the meandering river running through and along the wooded track leading to Appleton-le-Moors, a maypole, a village hall, glorious views, fine cottages, a tithe barn, now an ancient monument, and the historical 12th century church of All Saints.

Set on a hill, the church was restored in 1904 by C Hodgson Fowler but it still retains some 17th century pews and much of the original nave and chancel; fragments of early carved stones and traces of former doorways remain visible in the walls.

There is a picturesque four-and-a-half mile circular walk from Appleton-le-Moors running along the River Seven towards Sinnington. Heading north out of Appletonle-Moors, take the first right turn after passing Appleton Hall and Christ Church signposted Cropton and Rosedale, and follow the lane between the hedges. Go beyond a footpath on the right and continue to a left bend and walk on to Appleton Mill Farm.

After the cattle grid, continue towards the farm and pass through a gate, keeping the fence on your right. Cross the River Seven and turn left, heading away from the river.

At the footpath sign turn right and then left to follow the path along the woodland edge away from the river to sign at a junction.

There are some stunning views and during spring the toothwort (Lathraea sqamaria) will be in flower - a curious flesh-pink plant lacking the chlorophyll of most other plants.

Turn right and head towards Sinnington through several gates and a triangular junction. Head right and down keeping to the broad path. A white cottage with a tiled roof should be ahead then make a left turn.

Continue until the River Seven comes into view and climb above the river keeping to the lower path at the fork until reaching a stile at Hob Bank Wood after crossing the path will soon veer right and there will be a gap in the trees. Walk on through the meadows towards a stile on the far side climb the slope by the side of the Seven, and keep to the track as it runs along the woodland ignoring the bridle path sharp right, and keeping the river on the right continue into Sinnington and head towards the village green.

In spring the banks of the river are a mass of daffodils. Cross the 18th century bridge and turn immediately to follow the bridleway track out of the village again. Continue through the gate and follow the sign for Appleton-le-Moors. On reaching a gate go diagonally across to a second gate, keeping to the field edge with the boundary on the left and there is another gate in the corner.

Two more gates and some farm outbuildings will return you to the starting point.

The attractive wide main street makes Appleton-le-Moors famous and Christ Church is a real surprise to first time visitors, with its 1860s French Gothic Revival style, by prize winning architect John Pearson it is worthy of its reputation as 'a little gem of a moorland church' as John Betjeman described it. It contains fine stained glass by Clayton and Bell with richly decorated stone and woodwork and standing 90 feet tall, the bell tower with its pyramidal spire dominates the skyline and has become a local landmark.

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