On a glorious autumnal day a group of thirteen set off from Fountain’s Abbey Visitor Centre on the Aislabie Walk, which largely follows a route linking Studley Royal and Hackfall, two estates owned by the Aislabie family in the eighteenth century. The route took us through woodland and fields to Laver Banks and the picturesque villages of Galphay, Kirkby Malzeard and Grewelthorpe before entering the extensive woods at Hackfall, which are dotted with a series of follies providing lots of interest for walkers. The return leg took us through Azerley and past the Witch of the Woods House, a 17^th century cottage, before entering the Studley Royal estate where we spotted plenty of deer, including two magnificent stags, as we made our way back to Fountain’s Abbey. A thoroughly enjoyable walk that showed off the North Yorkshire countryside at its best.