Beverley Westwood
Step through North Bar and within two minutes you're on 500 acres of ancient common pasture where cattle graze freely, golfers share the fairways with dog-walkers, and the twin towers of the Minster float above the treeline. The Westwood is Beverley's greatest open secret — and it costs absolutely nothing.
A Common Land Since Medieval Times
The Westwood Pasture has been common land for centuries, overseen by elected Pasture Masters who still manage it today. The chalk beneath the turf once supplied the raw material for Beverley's street foundations, and the hollows and pits left by that industry are still visible across the pasture.
Head west along the Cinder Path from York Road and you'll reach Black Mill, a striking ruined windmill that serves as the Westwood's landmark viewpoint. From here, on a clear day, you can see the Minster, St Mary's Church and the Wolds beyond — one of the finest free views in East Yorkshire.
What to Expect on the Ground
Herds of cattle roam the pasture freely from spring through autumn — they have right of way, so keep dogs on leads and give them a wide berth. The turf is open and unfenced, so children can run freely while you follow any of the criss-crossing paths at your own pace.
The Westwood also borders Beverley Racecourse, so on race days between April and September you can combine a walk on the common with the spectacle of flat racing on the horizon — an oddly magical combination.
Beverley Westwood on video
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