This scenic riverside walk is accessed via Church Lane, Nether Poppleton and then a track which passes through Nether Poppleton Medieval Moated Site. The track leads to a railway bridge and after passing under the bridge leads to a series of flower-rich meadows and the River Ouse. It is possible to walk through several fields and then follow a track on the opposite site of the fields in order to return to the starting point.

A former railway line, the Foss Islands path was originally built to bring workers to the Rowntrees chocolate factory as well as goods to a gasworks and a power station. After the railway line closed the path was converted into a very useful off-road route through the city which has proved to be very popular with cyclists and walkers. The route crosses the River Foss and is has wooded areas and flowers along its length. The route also features several unusual industrial metal sculptures along its length.

In 2014 a series of three wildflower meadows were created along Poppleton Road by a group of keen volunteers. The intention was to create a colourful tribute to those who had died during the First World War. The meadows remain and the colourful flowers and planted trees and shrubs attract a good range of wildlife. On the northern site a large metal sculpture is known as the Carriage Workers Memorial and this was built in honour of all those who worked in the nearby railway carriage works.

In 2014 a series of three wildflower meadows were created along Poppleton Road by a group of keen volunteers. The intention was to create a colourful tribute to those who had died during the First World War. The meadows remain and the colourful flowers and planted trees and shrubs attract a good range of wildlife. On the northern site a large metal sculpture is known as the Carriage Workers Memorial and this was built in honour of all those who worked in the nearby railway carriage works.

Railway to Greenway Project

For hundreds of years, the favoured route from Selby to York was by boat or barge along the River Ouse. Then, in 1871 the railway line was opened. It remained the East Coast Main Line from London to Edinburgh until the creation of the Selby Coalfield forced its diversion in 1983. Today you can follow the route on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

The Railway to Greenway project charts the history of this route, exploring the impact of the changes on local communities. Its an ongoing project with regular new additions. We will shortly be adding some fascinating history of the impact of the railways on the City of York.

Comments or additional material always welcome.

​Watch our Greenway video and York TV interview about the project, or visit the Railway to Greenway website for more information.

​Askham Bar Access

Works to the access near the Askham Bar Park and Ride will go ahead in March as part of the council’s Tadcaster Road contract. 

Apart from improvements to the access from Tadcaster Road the tunnel will be cleaned up and the surface renewed as far as the new football pitches. After that York Greenways intends to put a new sign facing the road and install a mural under London Bridge.

WildYork map is unable to show the extent of the Solar System Greenway cycle and walking route. Please visit the Greenways website for more information about the route.

As part of the planning permission for the construction of York College the creation of a new wildlife site was required. This former potato field is now an important location for a wide variety of wildlife including common spotted orchids, northern marsh orchids and common fleabane. This is a site in need of a name and is currently known only as York College Forest School. Created around 2007 the site has a number of trails which pass through grassland, scrub and young woodland. A pond on the site is home to great-crested newts. Other than the plants, little is currently known about the wildlife to be found here.

Cared for by:
York College

Resembling a shallow canal this linear fen is actually a great place for wetland plants. Plants to be found in the fen include a wide variety of sedges, bulrushes including the rare lesser bulrush, common fleabane, evening primrose and many other colourful plants. There is a footpath running beside the fen. The best time to visit this location is in July or August.

Well off the beaten track Scoreby Wood is a mixed woodland with a good variety of woodland flowers. Ferns are particularly noticeable along the bridleway that runs through the middle of the woodland. The wood is close to Scoreby, a now lost medieval village, where pottery and building foundations were found in the 19th century. Footpaths in the area lead to Hagg Wood, Dunnington, Kexby and Stamford Bridge.

Details of how to reach Scoreby Woodland can be found in the Exploring York leaflet 0- Stamford Bridge to Kexby https://www.itravelyork.info/downloads/file/57/stamford-bridge-to-kexby

This brand new play area has a great range of play equipment for children including slides, swings and things to climb on. There are picnic benches beside the play equipment and an adjacent field which can be used for games or resting.