Ride #3 – Castle Howard (64 miles, anti-clockwise) via Driffield, Cowlam, Settrington, Malton, Leavening, Millington Dale and Huggate passes through the self-styled ‘Food Capital of North Yorkshire’ – Malton – on the way to undulating, but arrow-straight road past Castle Howard in the Howardian Hills AONB.
Save some energy for the dog-leg climb out of Leavening before crossing Bishop Wilton Wold – Garrowby Hill – at the Yorkshire Wolds’ highest point. This route allows you to drop down to Millington in order to ride through Millington Dale. There is a shortcut instead via Thixendale and Huggate Road, but you would be missing East Yorkshire’s most beautiful dry valley.
The highlight climb is Leavening Bank, but the last push to the road above Millington Dale can catch out the tired rider.
See the Castle Howard ride as a Garmin Connect course and as a Strava segment (with minor rerouting through Malton).
Refreshment opportunities in Malton – take a lock – Castle Howard and Leavening.