It were a bit barren on t’moors like, nowt much to see!

A view along the Cleveland Way as it traverses Newton Moor, with the elusive Highcliffe Nab shrouded in mist.

The cartulary concerning the founding of Gisborough Priory records a significant route named Melegate, extending from a point on the Percy Cross track, known as Molecros, to Roseberry Common. The Cleveland Way here likely follows the course of that ancient route.

In early times, paths across the moors emerged as people and animals roamed in search of resources. These paths grew in importance for trade and communication between settlements. While the Romans are famed for their grand roads, these lesser tracks remained crucial for local communities. Some may have borne religious significance, serving as routes for pilgrimages to holy sites.

During the Medieval Period, as villages and towns grew more interconnected, routes assumed greater importance. They became essential for markets, facilitating the transport of goods and people for trade. The expansion of feudal estates also relied heavily on footpaths for daily operations.

The Dissolution of the Monasteries led to the neglect of some routes that had previously been maintained by monastic houses. The Enclosure Acts significantly altered the landscape by fencing in common lands, thereby blocking or redirecting many paths and limiting access to the countryside. These changes marked a shift from a feudal system to a market-driven economy.

The Industrial Revolution created a demand for improved roads to transport goods, leading to the adaptation or abandonment of many ancient paths in favour of roads more suited for carts and, later, cars.

Paths like Melegate, shaped by history from medieval times through the Industrial Revolution, now seen in the Cleveland Way, reflect centuries of change and continuity in local landscapes.