Howgil one

Verified Slow Way

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Howden Minster is one of Mousy Thompson locations, so if you fancy a mouse hunt before coffee, there are 30+ to find. The road to Howdendyke takes you to the port on the River Ouse. The River has been used for transport since the Bronze Age and was used by the Romans and Vikings to transport goods and people to and from York via the Humber Estuary. The Port is extensively used today by Wren, Ebuyer and for breakbulk cargo.

Starting in the Market Square near the Minster, leave town south easterly towards Howdendyke on paved roads.At the PD Ports Offices turn left, the path starts at ‘yon’ end of the carpark. Head towards Kilpin, the path has been rather ‘cratered’ by tractors because of the wet weather.
This makes path unusable for any but the lightest pushchairs. The bridle way from Kilpin is currently ploughed out but ‘should’ be reinstated by mid May 2024. If it is not follow the fine quiet country lanes along two sides of the field. It is part of the Trans Pennine Trail. Continue on the lanes over the railway crossing and into Laxton. Leave the TPT and head north. At the end of the lane rejoin the path. You will need to be ready to use the Gpx track. The first part of the path has been mown flat - but after crossing the footbridge over Eastrington Drain you are into crops!! Be wary of following tractor tracks too far ;-)
If you have the correct course you should encounter a large boundary stone as you cross the small ditch. Track just south of the farm and rejoin the lane- with a finger post! If you go ‘Off Piste’ you may have to retrace your steps. Many of the ‘drains/dykes’ are very steep sided and wide!
The lanes into Gilberdyke are the ‘perfect’ size especially by the level crossing :-).

Would not recommend planning to walk this route during periods of windy and/or wet weather. If sunny and warm, one can enjoy how the environment is quite beautiful and breathtakingly open with endless views
After walking out of Howden center past the green area of the playing fields and fish ponds, the route crosses the A614 Boothferry Road at a roundabout and there are no pedestrian lights to cross here, although there is an island so one only has to cross each lane at a time. Still felt like dodging cars, those coming off the roundabout being quite fast at times.
The road continues with a choice of hardcore tarmac path on one side, or wide grass verge on the other, and crosses the M62 safely by overpass. The other side the option to walk on soft ground ends, with single tarmac footpath to and through Howdendyke village, with a need to cross the road a couple of times. This part of the route is quite monotonous walking the roadside and is not particularly pleasant.
The footpath east to Kilpin village is not easy to find as one has to leave the lane between the Howden Ports offices and their carpark, the path being at the far end.
The footpath to Kilpin follows field edges and so is not sutable for any form of wheels.
After skirting the edge of Kilpin on a short stretch of road, another footpath cuts directly across a field at a diagonal. It does not have a 'Public Footpath' sign but there is a wooden post with a small arrow on it. When undergrowth is heavier in the summer, this may be hard to find. This path leads to Trandy Lane, which has only sloped, rough grass verges but is not busy so one can walk on the road. The route continues along this lane all the way to Saltemarsh station and level crossing. On a dry warm sunny day it could be a lovely walk, in wind and rain it is exposed and miserably monotonous.
After passing through Laxton village there is a small stretch of respite from road walking as the footpath follows the drainage dykes zig-zagging the fields to meet the road to Gilberdyke - same as before, lovely if its sunny, not great if its wet, but worst if there is wind - very exposed.

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