Out & About …

… on the North York Moors, or wherever I happen to be.

Seave Green, a hamlet in Bilsdale

One might reckon Seave Green a hamlet nowadays, though through the ages, it’s been nothing but a scattering of farms, stretching southward to Chop Gate. Further up on Bilsdale’s far eastern slope, a chapel and manor once stood, though ‘Town Green’ hints there might’ve been a medieval village1 “The North York Moors Landscape Heritage”. Edited by D.A.Spratt and B.J.D.Harrison. Page 98/99. David & Charles. 1989. ISBN 0 7153 93472..

The buildings of Seave Green, mostly built from sandstone with roofs of red pantiles, housed an inn once, the Fox and Hounds, and a corn mill, Chisel Hill, now silent since 1930. It underwent refurbishment and found new life as a recording studio, soundproofed to perfection, for the singer Chris Rea2Burns, Tom Scott. “The Walker’s Guide to the Cleveland Hills”. Page 81. 1993. Smith Settle. ISBN 1-85825-009-9..

Seave Green owes its name, it’s surmised, to one Nicholas del Seves, mentioned in Yorkshire’s Lay Subsidy of 13013‘The Subsidy: Wapentake of Rydale | British History Online’. 2024. British-History.ac.uk <https://www.british-history.ac.uk/yorks-arch-soc/vol21/pp46-56#:~:text=De%20Nicholao%20del%20Seves> [accessed 26 March 2024].

The Fox and Hounds Inn, surely bustling in 1869 when it witnessed an inquest upon the body of a supposed vagrant found lifeless upon the moor, forsaken for weeks, victim to an ailing liver and cold exposure4‘Helmsley. | Leeds Evening Express | Friday 23 April 1869 | British Newspaper Archive’. 2024. Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003884/18690423/018/0002> [accessed 26 March 2024]. It was quite customary at that time to hold inquests in the nearest hostelry.

Come Sundays, the inn played host to an old cobbler from Tripsdale, his ruinous abode can still be found above the dale’s ford. He’d ply his trade outside, selling clogs, shoes, and slippers to the congregation descending from Urra Church5Burns, Tom Scott. “The Walker’s Guide to the Cleveland Hills”. Page 83. 1993. Smith Settle. ISBN 1-85825-009-9..

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3 responses to “Seave Green, a hamlet in Bilsdale”

  1. John Richardson avatar
    John Richardson

    I remember the area well, as you headed toward Chop Gate, there was a left turn after which you crossed the beck. on the downstream side of the bridge you could see the old rocks, under the water, that formed the ford. Te farm on the left was only a small acreage farmed by Eric and his wife, I can’t remember their surname but I think he was in the Navy in the War, any way he let me fish in his couple of hundred yards or so of bank. Near top of his land were some massive stones in the bank that I always thought were part of a mill., the trout used to hide under the huge slabs. As you progressed towards Chop Gate proper on the left was Mr Leckonby’s farm and more fishing! He was a preacher at the Methodist Chapel at the end of the Holloway you featured a few posts ago. On the right was the Post Office where a carpenter made coffins and there was always one leaning against the wall. Fascinating for a small boy. Thanks for the memory awakening post! ATB, John

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    1. Fhithich avatar
      Fhithich

      Fascinating, thanks.

      Reply
      1. John Richardson avatar
        John Richardson

        I finally remembered the name of the farmer, he was Eric Watson, we used to help him dip his sheep which were kept on Coldmoor, along with a lot of others I might add. Right that’s the record straight! ATB, John

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