THERE is a green hill ... not very far away. But the area around the Lady Chapel of Mount Grace is visited by people near and far. Pilgrims have visited in their thousands and hikers quite often divert from the nearby Cleveland Way to spend a quiet time at the atmospheric chapel area half-a-mile up a dirt track from the village of Osmotherley.

Stations of the cross - small crosses at different stages on the approach to the knoll of the Lady Chapel erected for the millennium - lead visitors in the footsteps of Christ on his way to his crucifixion to the green oasis at the Lady Chapel, Mount Grace.

And if, like me, you have been to see the recent gruelling film, The Passion of the Christ, showing the brutality of man to man, the different stations with their wording such as "This is where Jesus fell with the cross for the first time", and "This is where Simon helped Jesus carry the cross", you cannot fail to be moved.

But the area is admired not just by Christians, but many visitors who like to sit among the shrubs, trees and peaceful greenery of the lawns, perhaps visiting the Lady Chapel itself.

From there, visitors can now walk even further, right above the grassy hill along a zigzag prayer path opened just before Easter to admire the views - the distant Pennines one way, across to Guisborough another.

Way below, traffic can be seen hurtling along the A19, but up here there is time to admire the view, take stock and picnic in peace and quiet.

Park your car in the village and walk up the hill. To reach Mount Grace you have to walk about threequarters of a mile up Ruebury Lane. The last half of the half-mile track (no cars allowed), which is lined, depending on the season, with snowdrops, daffodils or honeysuckle, leads to steps and the final cross on the flat plateau by the chapel.

The chapel was loving restored by the late Mgr Peter Storey who lived at the monastery in the village, one of two Catholic priests who restored the then derelict chapel in 1942, the other being Fr Michael O'Sullivan.

The chapel is now maintained by the monks of Mount Grace monastery in the village.

It is known that hermits visited the site in the Middle Ages before the Reformation, and a spring used to flow from below the footpath steps - perhaps another reason why a chapel was built here.

Fr Terence, the present prior of Mount Grace monastery, which was set up in the village in the 1660s, said: "We know the chapel existed on the site in medieval times by the stonework and that it had links with the monks of Mount Grace Priory who walked here to pray as they once owned it.

"We also know that it was re-built in 1515 by Queen Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII (hence the Queen Catherine pub in the village - an excellent eating place).

Franciscans, then Benedictines, have cared for it since and now it is used every day of the year for services, workshops and other events.

"We do not think Queen Catherine ever came to Osmotherley but she was a generous benefactor when during the Reformation all priories were closed and Catholics began gathering on Mount Grace where they were less likely to be caught holding services due to its isolated position.

"It is also said that Margaret Clitheroe (a notary in York in 1586, and a very popular saint with Catholics who harboured priests) could be buried here."

Why the Lady Chapel fell into dereliction, no-one is sure.

Mount Grace monastery and Lady Chapel are now part of Ampleforth, the monks living as a community and maintaining the Lady Chapel as well as looking after the spiritual needs of parishioners.

Fr Terence came here ten years ago.

"I was one of the first monks and feel very privileged to be here. It is very encouraging to see people enjoying the Lady Chapel and its surroundings for a variety of reasons."

The hill is a shrine for people from a 100-mile radius. The 500yds walk from the Lady Chapel zigzags up a path laid by prisoners to a platform and seat, and eventually leads back down 28 stone steps to the quarry behind the chapel.

Annually, on a summer day, hundreds come to the area for a pilgrimage.

Spirituality apart, the place is worth visiting for its beauty, views and serenity - and will undoubtedly leave you with a sense of well-being which lifts the lowliest of spirits.