Cycle ride in the Yorkshire Wolds - Kilham, Burton Agnes and Ruston Parva

The name Ruston Parva means Little Ruston and there is much discussion as to how and why ‘Parva’ was added to its original name.

Some say it was to distinguish it from the village of Rudston which is not far away. But the most likely suggestion is that it was becoming confused with Long Riston on the Holderness Plain.

Long Riston was called Riston in 1086 but time corrupted the name to Ruston giving two villages with the same name in the East Riding. To avoid confusion one became Ruston Parva and the other became Long Riston.

Ruston Parva is known today by many because of the quarry workings at the entrance to the village. But it should be known for its quaint, tiny church on the hill with beautiful box pews. The church is built of brick, being rebuilt early in the 19th century.

The ride starts from Kilham Church, the first church being recorded in Kilham at the beginning of the 12th century. But there is some evidence to suggest that there were religious goings on at the same place much earlier than that.

Every church has a character and Kilham was no exception. Around 1568 George Chester was the vicar. I think he must have been a bit of a lad as he ran an alehouse in the vicarage. He was caught and severely reprimanded.

In Elizabethan times it was against the law not to go to church. This brought troublemakers in, the most frequent offence being ‘scolders and disquieters of their neighbours’. It seems most of the culprits were women. Although the men made up for it by being drunk and disorderly.

So let us saddle up and leave those unruly Elizabethans behind and enjoy a ride across the Yorkshire Wolds in search of peace and tranquillity.

Your route

Leave Kilham with the church on your left and head off towards the double bends, past the village pond on the road signed to Bridlington.

When the road goes right, leave it to go straight ahead onto a narrow road. A long gentle climb now to reveal good views from the top. Continue along to a T-junction and turn right to cycle downhill. Grand views now to the coast spoiled by the huge wind farm in front of you.

Take care when the road goes sharp right, then soon sharp left to take you downhill to the road. Go left onto this busy road and in a couple of hundred yards turn right at the village pond signed to Gransmoor and Lissett.

Cycle over a level crossing and soon, at the double bends, turn right onto a narrow road signed to Lowthorpe, Kelk and Harpham. Although the road is quite well-surfaced, there are some sharp corners to negotiate.

Enjoy the open views as you ride along, then at the T-junction turn right signed to Lowthorpe.

Cross over the Lowthorpe level crossing, then a bit further along enter the village of Lowthorpe. Bear right at the end of the village following signs for Ruston Parva and Driffield. A little further along in a clump of trees is Lowthorpe Church, if you wish to visit you can ride up the driveway to it.

Continue along now to the A614. Take care crossing this very busy road to enter the village of Ruston Parva. Continue through the village and about half-way through you will see some white painted houses elevated on your left.

The path to the quaint, box pew church is signed through one of the house driveways. Cycle along to a T-junction and go right, then through the double bends and along to a sharp right bend. Leave the road here to go left (straight ahead) onto a very narrow road signed to Pockthorpe. A rough old road this. Eventually you reach a cross road, go right here signed to Kilham. Soon you have a long descent into the village of Kilham.

Cycle ride facts

Distance – 15miles/24km.

Terrain – Mainly country roads, not many hills.

Grading – Easy.

Best map – OS Explorer 295.

Start/grid ref – Kilham Church, grid ref: 064644.

Refreshments – Pubs in Kilham and Burton Agnes.

Guide book – Mountain Biking around the Yorkshire Wolds by J Brian Beadle published by Trailblazer at £2.50 contains similar routes. Available from Trailblazer Outdoors in Pickering, book shops, Pickering Railway Station and tourist information centres.