What is Beggar's Bridge?

A single high stone arch over the River Esk near Glaisdale station, with a 1619 date stone and the initials of Thomas Ferris. It is a scheduled monument, and the story of why he built it is local legend rather than record.

Can you get to Glaisdale by train?

Yes. Glaisdale station is on the Esk Valley line between Middlesbrough and Whitby. Check the operator timetable before you travel.

Is Glaisdale on the Coast to Coast walk?

Yes. The Coast to Coast path passes through Glaisdale on its way down the Esk Valley, and the Esk Valley Walk does too.

Villages & Places

Glaisdale

By Jon Cosson · Updated 19 October 2026

A hillside village in the Esk Valley, between Lealholm and Egton Bridge, about 8 miles west of Whitby and inside the North York Moors National Park. It has a station on the Esk Valley line, a 17th century bridge over the river and the Coast to Coast path running through.

Beggar's Bridge

Beggar's Bridge is a single high stone arch over the River Esk, about 150 m south east of Glaisdale station. It carries a 1619 date stone and the weathered initials of Thomas Ferris, also spelt Ferres. Ferris, an Egton farmer's son, became Sheriff of Hull in 1614 and Mayor in 1620. The bridge is a scheduled monument.

Local legend tells the story behind it. A young Ferris could not cross the flooded Esk to see the squire's daughter before he went to sea, and built the bridge once he had made his fortune. Historic England notes that this is legend, not record.

Getting there by train

Glaisdale station is on the Esk Valley line between Middlesbrough and Whitby. There are public toilets at the station, and The Quiet Coach, a small free library, is there too. For planning a day without a car, see getting around without a car.

Walks from Glaisdale

The Monks' Trod, an old stone-flagged packhorse path, runs through East Arncliffe Wood on the south bank of the Esk and leads to Egton Bridge. Glaisdale is also on the Coast to Coast path and the Esk Valley Walk. For a longer outing down the valley, see the Esk Valley and Grosmont walk.

Ironstone history

Slate-roofed cottages in the village were built for miners and railway workers during the Victorian ironstone boom. Traces of the mines remain, along with an unfinished trackbed known locally as Paddy Waddell's railway.

In the village

Glaisdale Village Store and Post Office serves the village, and there are pubs and tea rooms nearby. Parking in the village is limited. Egton Bridge has a free car park near its station.

Glaisdale FAQs

Where is Glaisdale?: Glaisdale is a hillside village in the Esk Valley, between Lealholm and Egton Bridge, about 8 miles west of Whitby. It lies inside the North York Moors National Park.
What is Beggar's Bridge?: A single high stone arch over the River Esk near Glaisdale station, with a 1619 date stone and the initials of Thomas Ferris. It is a scheduled monument, and the story of why he built it is local legend rather than record.
Can you get to Glaisdale by train?: Yes. Glaisdale station is on the Esk Valley line between Middlesbrough and Whitby. Check the operator timetable before you travel.
Is Glaisdale on the Coast to Coast walk?: Yes. The Coast to Coast path passes through Glaisdale on its way down the Esk Valley, and the Esk Valley Walk does too.

Nearby

Sources checked 19 October 2026: Historic England list entry 1021022; National Park Glaisdale page.

Staying in the Esk Valley

Glaisdale, Egton Bridge and Grosmont have cottages and inns along the river, with Whitby a short train ride away.

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