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.

This little known site is likely a haven for wildlife with an abundance of wildflowers, particularly at eastern end of the site where there is a large very colourful flower meadow. Flowers to seen here include crosswort, common vetch and the bright orange ‘fox and cubs’ which is abundant here. There are almost no records of wildlife at this site which almost certainly would support many unusual species.

St Nicholas’ Church is an eco-church as part of this it has set aside part of the church grounds for wildlife. As a result the church now has a very colourful wildlife meadow where over 80 kinds of wildflower can be found. It is likely that the grounds are attractive to many kinds of wildlife but no investigation of the local wildlife has yet been undertaken.

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.

Shipton Parish Council (SPC) owns a field of approximately 3 acres adjacent the sports field. This has been let on a short-term tenancy for agricultural use. The Parish Council has discussed the possibility and utility of using this land to create a community woodland, and it was agreed to in August 22 at 22-111. Following a period of consultation with the local community a steering group was formed from Shipton residents who wished to move forward with the possibility of creating a community wildflower woodland. Progress has been followed by the Parish Council. Shipton residents have been informed of the project by leaflets, notice boards and a public meeting. As a result, 69 people have expressed a positive interest and have shared their email addresses to be kept informed. The council resolved to give notice to the farmer, who has vacated the land, and plans are in hand to develop the Shipton Wildflower Woods. (SWW)

Two triangles of unadopted CYC housing land. For the past 12 months they have been cleared, tidied up by local residents, and ‘good will’ intervention from CYC and, on 2.6.25, GoodGym (https://www.cyclestreets.net/location/216039/)

Residents can remember them being formal parks. There are rose bushes https://www.cyclestreets.net/location/216053 and at least one fruit tree in them.

There are two paths that pass through them link. One links Crichton Avenue southside steps and Tennyson Avenue (https://www.cyclestreets.net/location/216057/). The other links Crichton Avenue southside steps and Haughton Road https://www.cyclestreets.net/location/216060/. The paths and steps (https://www.cyclestreets.net/location/216056/) are critical links to/from residential areas and the hospital, a local primary school and the universities – for pupils, staff, students and outpatients, for example.

Care of the Triangles is key to keeping the paths usable, safe and safe-feeling. When left unattended the vegetation in the Triangles:

• prevents access for clearing, litter picking and removal of fly-tipping https://www.cyclestreets.net/location/216049;
• grows through the railings and obstructs the paths.

The paths are currently inaccessible to people in mobility scooters of which there are many in the immediate area. The Tennyson Avenue entrance is bounded by hedges on residential properties https://www.cyclestreets.net/location/216055. It is very narrow even when these are cut back. There is no dropped kerb. There is no restriction on parking at that end. Motor vehicles block the entrance to/exit from the Tennyson Avenue path but also hide it from people who might look for it.

There is no room on the paths to turn round if someone in a mobility scooter wanted to visit. This limits who can visit, care about and enjoy these two unexpected spaces.

At a time people are paving over front yards the Triangles are an important plant habitat and staging post for pollinators.

A small orchard of nine trees, six apples, a pear, a plum and a cherry were planted in 2012 with funding from Micklegate Ward Committee. The trees were chosen for their heritage value as well as their superb flavours and hardiness. There is an information board on the site with lots of information about the orchard and the adjacent copse of native trees which were planted by all the pupils at Scarcroft School in November 2019.

The grassy sward beneath the trees has been planted and sown over the years with a huge variety of native flower species; there are 36 (and counting!) species in the orchard and copse area while only 5 on the rest of the green. The sward is scythed at the end of the summer and the cuttings removed to keep the area from getting too rich in nutrients.

The area is managed by local people with the help of folk from St Nick’s.

We have regular work and learning sessions: scything, pruning, species identification, habitat building. And regular celebrations and festivals: harvest and juicing, wassail, blossom time and a summer picnic. We are always very happy to have folk come along and join in. Contact laurapotts@phonecoop.coop to go on a mailing list for the orchard and to hear what is going on.