Houses Of The North York Moors

Author: Royal Commission On The Historical Monuments Of England
Price: £25
Publisher: HMSO
Edition: 1st edition
Publication Date: 1987
Format: Original wrappers
Condition: Very good plus

Description: One in the series. Quarto. Original wrappers. pp.256. The detailed and well-illustrated history. Slightly creased. Binding nice and tight. Pages nice and clean. A very good plus, tight, clean copy. Location: OSR 002833

The North York Moors: A Short History

Overview

The North York Moors is one of Britain’s most distinctive upland landscapes, covering approximately 1,400 square kilometres in North Yorkshire. Designated as a National Park in 1952, the area is celebrated for its sweeping heather moorland, ancient woodlands, dramatic coastline, and rich archaeological heritage. The moors offer a rare combination of natural beauty, historical depth, and rural tranquillity, forming one of the most treasured environments in northern England.

Geography and Landscape

The North York Moors are bounded by:

• The Cleveland Hills to the north-west
• The Howardian Hills to the south
• The Yorkshire Coast to the east
• The Vale of Pickering to the south-east

The region is predominantly composed of sandstone ridges, limestone escarpments, and boulder clay, creating a rugged terrain interspersed with deep dales, such as Rosedale, Farndale, and Eskdale. The highest point is Urra Moor, rising to 454 metres.

A defining feature of the landscape is its extensive heather moorland, which blooms in vivid purples in late summer. These open expanses are shaped by centuries of grazing, controlled burning, and traditional management.

Ecology and Wildlife

The North York Moors National Park is a haven for biodiversity, supporting a range of habitats including:

• Blanket bogs and acid grasslands on higher ground
• Ancient oak and ash woodlands in sheltered valleys
• Wetland meadows and limestone grasslands on lower slopes
• Coastal cliffs and salt marshes along the eastern fringe

Notable species include:

• Red grouse, curlew, and golden plover on the open moor
• Adders, Britain’s only venomous snake, found basking on sunny heathland
• Salmon and sea trout in rivers such as the Esk
• A variety of rare moths, butterflies, and lichens linked to ancient woodland and unimproved pasture

The moors also provide critical carbon storage through their peatlands and play an important role in flood regulation and water purification.

Prehistoric and Historic Landscape

The human presence in the North York Moors stretches back over 10,000 years, with extensive archaeological remains scattered across the landscape.

Prehistoric Features:

• Neolithic burial mounds and Bronze Age barrows dot the moorland ridges
• Iron Age hillforts, linear earthworks, and field systems still visible today

Roman and Medieval Periods:

• The Roman road Wade’s Causeway crosses the moors, part of an ancient route to the coast
• The Anglo-Saxon period brought Christianity and the founding of early settlements
• The medieval period saw the growth of monastic estates, most famously Rievaulx Abbey and Whitby Abbey, both of which shaped agriculture, forestry, and local industry

Remnants of ridge and furrow fields, monastic granges, and packhorse bridges reflect the continuity of rural life across centuries.

Agriculture and Rural Life

For centuries, the economy of the North York Moors was based on mixed farming, sheep grazing, and seasonal labour. Upland farms typically kept:

• Swaledale and Scottish Blackface sheep
• Hardy cattle breeds for dairy and meat
• Poultry and pigs for household use

Traditional drystone walls, banked hedgerows, and stone-built barns remain integral features of the farming landscape. While agricultural practices have modernised, many farms continue to use low-intensity, environmentally sensitive methods, often supported by stewardship schemes.

Village life is centred on small settlements such as Goathland, Hutton-le-Hole, and Egton, where housing is typically built from local sandstone, roofed in pantiles or slate, and arranged around greens or along narrow lanes.

Industry and Land Use

Though primarily rural, the North York Moors have a rich history of rural industry, including:

• Ironstone mining: Especially prominent in the 19th century, with large works at Rosedale and Grosmont
• Jet carving: Whitby jet was highly prized during the Victorian period
• Alum extraction: Along the coastal cliffs, notably around Ravenscar and Staithes
• Charcoal burning and lime kilns, now mostly redundant, but still visible in the landscape

Remnants of industrial railways, inclines, and quarry workings reflect this industrial past and are now valued for their heritage and ecological succession.

Cultural Heritage and Local Traditions

The people of the North York Moors have maintained a strong sense of cultural identity, expressed through:

• Folk tales and dialects
• Village shows, sheepdog trials, and local fairs
• Traditional crafts, such as woodturning, wool spinning, and dry stone walling

The landscape has inspired writers and artists, most famously the Brontë sisters, who lived at Haworth on the moor’s fringe, and Bram Stoker, who set part of Dracula in Whitby.

Modern Conservation and Access

Today, the North York Moors is managed to balance conservation, tourism, and community life. Key features include:

• Over 2,000 kilometres of public rights of way, including parts of the Cleveland Way National Trail
• Designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Special Areas of Conservation
• Strong emphasis on habitat restoration, tree planting, and peatland recovery

Visitors are encouraged to explore responsibly, with educational outreach promoting respect for livestock, wildlife, and local residents.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, running heritage steam trains from Pickering to Whitby, is one of the most popular attractions and offers a unique view of the landscape.

Legacy and Significance

The North York Moors encapsulate a unique blend of natural grandeur, historical continuity, and rural resilience. They offer not just scenic beauty but an authentic window into the lived experience of the English uplands—a place where tradition, ecology, and landscape are deeply interwoven.

Whether walking across open heather moorland, exploring ancient ruins, or visiting a remote hill farm, one is never far from the rich heritage and quiet strength of this remarkable region.

Why buy from us?

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our book collection is meticulously curated to ensure that each edition is a valuable and authentic piece of bibliographical history. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Every book is researched, collated, and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: Each book is selected with a keen eye for significance, condition, and rarity, ensuring a collection that is both diverse and distinguished.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions and provenance to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If you wish to make a return, books may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. We request advance notification of returns, and books must be returned in the same condition as sent for a full refund.

Explore Our Collection:
Visit Hornseys to explore our fine collection of rare and signed books. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a special gift, our selection offers something truly unique. Located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, our Ripon gallery has been a haven for book lovers, art enthusiasts, and collectors since 1976.