Month: July 2022
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The Vale of Guisborough
In the 2011 census, the population of Guisborough was 16,979; way back in 1851 it was 2,062. The decade that followed saw the arrival of the railway and the rapid development in the ironstone industry. Although the railway was built initially to serve the needs of the Peases’ ironstone mine at Codhill, it also would…
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Ladhill Gill
Ladhill Beck separates the parish of Hawnby from Bilsdale Westside. The upper reaches have a desolate feel with forlorn farmsteads: Honey Hill, Sike House, Low and High Twaites, Hazelshaw House, Sod Hall, Weather House, and Bumper Castle. That’s Bumper Castle in the photo, right of centre. It seems to have grown more forlorn since the…
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One of the few areas of natural moorland on the North York Moors
There are very few areas of relict semi-natural moorland to be found on the North York Moors which has not been extensively managed solely to maximise the grouse population. The National Trust’s Bridestones Moor is one such area and, visually, is currently at its best with the ling coming into bloom. Although the vegetation is…
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Lower Lonsdale with Kildale beyond
Before the Norman Conquest Kildale was held by Orme, a thane of the king, who also seems to have been associated with Ormesby. When the church was rebuilt in 1868, several Scandinavian skeletons were discovered along with old swords, daggers. etc., all dating from the 9th-century. Perhaps one of these was Killi, from whom Kildale…
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Roseberry Summit
A rather unusual view of the summit crag, the result of playing with a GoPro on a selfie-stick. The rock face is not as vertical as I remember but that may be due to an optical illusion due to the wide angle lens. The sandstone crag looks good but is considered unstable by the climbing fraternity.…
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A 19th-century description of Highcliff Nab
Overhanging the romantic and picturesque vale of Gisborough, a bold prominent rock rears its reverend head, hoary with mosses and lichens, and rent into vast chasms by the storms and tempests of centuries. It is skirted to the north with rich plantations of fir and venerable forests of oak; towards the south it is surrounded…
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The Ghost of Angrove Hall
About half way between Great Ayton and Stokesley, a new road leads to a caravan park called Angrove Park, crossing the River Leven on a new Bailey bridge. The name is taken from Angrove Hall which was demolished in 1832. It was the scene of a murder and the appearance of a ghost. Sometime in…
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Gold Hill
A wander around Whorlton and Carlton Moors on a lovely morning. The first blooms of the ling are out and looking good. Down below in the vale of Cleveland pastures are dry and crops are ready for harvesting, giving the feel of an African savannah. A small excursion across the heather to the site of…
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Commondale from Sand Hill
Said to be named after Colmán, Bishop of Lindisfarne. So what was the venerable prelate doing in this remote dale that resulted in it taking his name? It is known he was present at the Synod of Whitby in 664 A.D., having been was appointed bishop 3 years earlier. Colmán led a delegation of monks representing…
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Little Ayton from Larners Hill
I suppose most visitors to Great Ayton wouldn’t know where Little Ayton is. You best direct them to Fletcher’s Farm café and when they get there tell them they’ve passed through Little Ayton on the way. It is an unimposing hamlet consisting of around a dozen farms or houses. The ‘centre’, I guess, would be…