Stamford Bridge and the Derwent

A three-and-a-half mile riverside circuit downstream from the battle village along the Derwent and back over the red-brick railway viaduct, an hour and a half of level walking with ten metres of ascent in total. Start at the picnic site car park by the bridge in Stamford Bridge, which is free and signed from the A166, and the 10 and 747 buses from York stop in the village. The Derwent is deep, slow and clean here and dogs swim from the shelving banks, the viaduct path is a firm traffic-free surface, and there are gates rather than awkward stiles, but the riverside meadows carry cattle in summer so check each field before letting a dog run; the bank path is soft and puddled in winter while the old railway line stays firm.