The Seated Man on the Moor
16 people attending
4 places left
A 7.5 mile circular in the North York Moors, from Castleton, taking in the beautiful village of Westerdale and finishing at the "Man on the Moor", a recently installed piece of modern art in the form of a giant bronze figure, seated, looking out soulfully over Westerdale.
The Moors can be bleak in December, or maybe there'll be some snow!! The route is a mix of moorland paths, quiet lanes, pockets of woodland and streams.
We'll pass the home of the local chap who owned Carphone Warehouse and who commissioned the £quarter of a million piece of public art we visit towards the end of the walk. The figure is supposed to be looking directly at the house 2.5km away. We can judge that for ourselves when we get there!
We pass through the pretty village of Westerdale, and its ford across the upper reaches of the River Esk (which flows to the North Sea at Whitby). Heading out towards moorland again, we arrive on Blakey Ridge and follow the boundary stones north to the Seated Man, sitting atop Brown Hill. This will probably be the only time today we will be with other visitors.
The painted bronze statue was created by artist Sean Henry and commissioned by the David Ross Foundation. David Ross is the co-founder of the UK company Carphonewarehouse and owns the land the statue stands on at Castleton Rigg in Westerdale.
The Seated Man was put up in June 2017, and is so far proving to be a big draw for tourists and visitors prepared to hike the half a mile from the nearest road to see it (we're doing 7.5 miles!). The figure gazes out over Westerdale contemplating the landscape and is due to remain in place for five years.
Sean describes the artwork as “The tension between the making and staging of figures that seem to belong to the real world and the degree to which they echo our experiences & sympathies.” ...... whatever that means!
After a flag stop, we continue to follow the boundary stones north, past an old quarry, back to our cars.
We can then make our way to Castleton Tea Room (if time permits) or a local pub for refreshments.
What to bring
Expect it to be cold with a windchill. It could be rainy or snowy. Full waterproofs are essential, plus spare layers for warmth. The Moors are very exposed to the elements. Good waterproof boots are a must - it will be muddy in places. Gaiters may come in handy too, especially if snowy.
Food & drink
Supplies are available at Castleton Coop. Bring food and drink (including flask, preferably) for a cold day. Refreshments at the end of the walk.