East Walk
Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit and Rifle Butts Quarry (summer) Summertime heralds an abundance of chalk grassland flowers in this historic area of Yorkshire which hosts one of the best places to see striking, monochrome marbled white butterflies.
1 From the car park in Goodmanham Dale,
3 If you’re sure-footed and able to make the
take the path heading north-eastwards. This was once a railway line from Market Weighton to Beverley but is now the Hudson Way rail trail open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. After a few hundred metres you’ll reach Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit.
short, steep climb up the embankment on the left, you’ll be rewarded with fine views, a welcoming bench and often a wonderful breeze on a hot day. There is only one access point up onto the bank, so you can do a loop before heading back into the valley bottom. Watch your step as there are steep drops in places.
2 As the reserve opens out before you, pause for a moment to look across the valley floor. The distinctive mounds of tufted grass harbour gloriously scented wild thyme and basil. Listen carefully for linnets, yellowhammers, and busy bees. Did you know? These mounds are made by yellow meadow ants and attract green woodpeckers who probe them with their long tongues. Yellow meadow ant
4 Once you’ve soaked in the sights, sounds and smells of this wildflower paradise, retrace your steps back to the carpark and then follow the Hudson Way towards Market Weighton until you emerge onto a small road. Turn right along the road to reach Rifle Butts Quarry.
5 The reserve sits on the right at the end of the first field, through a kissing gate. Here, the exposed rock face showcases a unique geological timeline starting in the Jurassic period. The reserve is awash with wild colours through the spring and summer including lady’s bedstraw, and clustered bellflower. From here, continue along the minor road for around 1km, keeping your eyes peeled for brown hares and whitethroats, and listening out for skylarks.
6 At Goodmanham, turn left along Main Street and you’ll pass All Hallows, a delightful 12th-century church. Keep following the road as Discover Yorkshire’s Wildlife