Stainsacre: Local History and the Cinder Track

Stainsacre combines a local history shaped by the former railway with today’s routes for walkers and mountain bikers. Two railway bridges mark the entrances to the village; historic houses, Stainsacre Hall and the memory of a grain mill add to this picture. When deciding where to stay, it helps to distinguish between the two: the buildings reflect the settlement’s character, while the Cinder Track and the walk along Stainsacre Beck describe different ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Railway and routes

The two railway bridges are prominent features at the entrances to the village. Stainsacre lay on the railway line between Scarborough and Whitby. This historical connection is part of the village’s history; the present-day Cinder Track, a 21.7-mile former railway line from Scarborough to Whitby, is a separate feature. The track is used by walkers and mountain bikers and has a cinder surface. At the turn-off for Stainsacre, it has a ramp giving access to the Windmill Inn and Stainsacre Lane. Route conditions may change; check them before your trip.

Historic buildings

Stainsacre Hall is part of the historic group of buildings that forms the foundation of the settlement. In general, the group is characterised by modest one-and-a-half-storey cottages with red clay tile roofs, stone copings and brick chimneys. A curved stone wall with rounded copings forms the entrance to Stainsacre Hall and runs along Stainsacre Lane.

The stone lintels and post details of The Larches stand out against its brick construction. The house was probably built around the turn of the 20th century in connection with the railway. Dale Farmhouse dates from the mid-18th century and probably incorporates remains of an older house. The farmhouse and the outbuildings attached to its rear are listed Grade II.

The settlement’s origins are also thought to have centred around a grain mill, which was dismantled in the 1940s. The mill adds another historical reference point to the railway heritage and the development of Stainsacre.

Walking along Stainsacre Beck

A 7-mile walk starting from Hawsker is presented in a description published in 2022 as an alternative to a section of the former railway line. It passes through the Stainsacre Beck valley and continues into the village of Stainsacre. The route includes a ford and a footbridge over the beck. As route and crossing conditions may change, check them before setting out.

The distances answer different questions when choosing a route: 21.7 miles refers to the former Cinder Track route from Scarborough to Whitby; 7 miles is the length of the described walk from Hawsker. The routes also have different features: cinder surfacing and use by walkers and mountain bikers on the Cinder Track, and the valley route, ford and footbridge on the walk. This lets you take both distance and route character into account.

Discover more destinations: Linton-on-Ouse, Norton, Clapham, Flaxton, Bedale, Green Hammerton, East Harlsey, Pickering.

Return to the main travel overview: North Yorkshire.