allerthorpe common

the reserve is about ten miles east of York, off the A1079 York-​Hull road
turn right off the A1079 following the sign to sutton-​upon-​derwent and thornton. Take the first left turn, signposted Thornton. Parking is about half-​a-​mile along this lane on the right.
cross the road and walk along the track past the forest enterprise gate. follow the ride on the left until you come to a junction, reserve is along the track to the right, the main gate and stile are located in the north-​east corner of the reserve.
the history of allerthorpe common can be traced back to AD 1086 when it was recorded in the doomsday book as aluuarstorp. this name suggests a subsidiary scandinavian settlement. aluuarstorp literally means thorpe or village belonging to a man called alfard?
there are adders present in allerthorpe common and they are protected, from being killed, injured or sold! though i have never seen one? i thought i had, but i was told it was a slow worm?
though most adders will scarper, when they think there going to be disturbed, they will bite, if you, your dog or child surprise them. though bites may not be fatal, they can make you very ill.
this is a really nice place to go walking as its pretty open ground in areas, and some wooded places. people often ride their horses here, as well, so if you have an excitable dog, leash it! or if driving by, give the horses room, when passing at reduced speeds. and most importantly DON’T go beeping your horn to let rider know you want to pass! i’ve seen some idiot, do this once.
all riders will go single file when they can, so just be patient.
and back to the dog owners that don’t clean up after their dogs, its common knowledge that the common is really messed up with dog muck in places! its a place to be enjoyed by all. and like i mentioned in the millington woods review, dog do won’t break down or fertilise the ground where its been left!
some of the more quiet areas are considered lovers lanes by those that know where to go and park up. but this is normally later at night!