Aysgarth and "The Da Vinci Code"

A strange link you might think but the association is "The Knights Templar". Tucked away in a corner of a field between Aysgarth and Swinithwaite (south of the A684) lies the remains of the Penhill Preceptory built c. 1200. Within the remains you can still make out some old tombs.

A strange incident occurred while i was looking at the ruins (you can draw your own conclusions, i'm reporting the facts). As i was looking around, to gauge where i needed to walk next, i saw a fine looking grey horse walking in a direct line towards myself and the ruins. It was between a gap in the woods. I looked straight back at the horse and then it stopped. I thought nothing else of it until i had finished looking at the ruins and had a bit of lunch. I needed to walk in the direction that i'd seen the horse coming from as i was heading towards Penhill Beacon. The horse was suddenly nowhere to be seen. I gained a good vantage point on the rise of the hill where Langthwaite Lane starts. I could not see the horse anywhere and i really had a good view of all around me...

FP sign from Chantry.

The rest of the walk was pleasant but tough as i got slightly lost coming down Black Scar and West Witton Moor. I was heading towards the lovely village of West Burton which i eventually found. The walk was concluded on the return back to Aysgarth and a fine view of St. Andrew's church.

St. Andrew's church