National Character Area 25 - North York Moors and Cleveland Hills : Key Facts & Data

National Character Area 25

North York Moors and Cleveland Hills - Key Facts & Data

Landscape and nature conservation designations section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Over 140,000 ha of this NCA fall within the North York Moors National Park (85 per cent of the NCA). Nearly all of the coastline falls within the North Yorkshire & Cleveland Heritage Coast, with the exception of short stretches of coast around Whitby and Scarborough, and the designation encompasses 5,993 ha (4 per cent) of the NCA (Natural England, 2011).

National Landscape (AONB) Management Plans

National Landscapes (legally known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – AONBs) are nationally important landscapes, designated under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. Their primary purpose is to ‘conserve and enhance natural beauty’. Clicking on the relevant National Landscape in the below map will also take you to that specific National Landscape website.
 
The following National Landscapes can be found within this NCA:

 

People walking a path over the coastal headlands

National Park Management Plans

National Parks are nationally designated landscapes with two statutory purposes: 1) to conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and 2) to promote opportunities for public enjoyment and understanding of their special qualities. Clicking on the relevant National Park in the below map will also take you to that specific National Park website.
 
The following National Parks can be found within this NCA:

 

A group of people in a park

Relationship with the coast
The adjacent coastline is covered by the following Shoreline Management Plans:

  • Northumberland and North Tyneside: River Tyne to Flamborough Head

The adjacent coastline includes the following Marine Plan – Marine Character Areas (MCAs):

  • North Yorkshire Coastal Waters

Northumberland and North Tyneside: River Tyne to Flamborough Head Shoreline Management Plan

Shoreline Management Plans are developed by Coastal Groups with members mainly from local authorities and the Environment Agency. They identify the most sustainable approach to managing the flood and coastal erosion risks to the coastline in the short, medium and long term. This could inform actions within the NCA.

Fields running alongside the sea

Description for the North Yorkshire Coastal Waters Marine Character Area

Seascape Character Assessments have been produced for all marine plan areas in England, extending along the coast to the High Water Mark. Information in the Seascape Character Assessments could inform actions along the coastline of the NCA.
 

A cove

Designated nature conservation sites

The NCA includes the following statutory nature conservation designations (Natural England, Special Protection Areas; Special Area of Conservation; Ramsars; National Nature Reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserves, 2021):

Please note: (i) Designated areas may overlap (ii) all figures are cut to Mean High Water Line, designations that span coastal/marine areas below this line will not be included.

Condition of designated sites
All designated sites within England are covered by Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) units. The condition to these SSSI units within the NCA are as follows (Natural England, Sites of Special Scientific Interest Units, 2021; 2023):

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of statutory sites can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by referring selecting Designations/Land-Based Designations/Statutory.

Map

Natural England Designated Sites View

Details of individual designated sites and their condition can be found on the Natural England website. To view the condition of a site, selects a site, then select the SSSI that legally underpins this, then select “View summary unit condition”.

A group of bushes in a field

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to nature conservation designations, such as biodiversity. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 26: North East and Tees Valley Combined Authorities
  • 28: North Yorkshire and York

 

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Landscape and nature conservation designations map for NCA25

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Landform, geology and soils section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Elevation

Elevation rises up from sea-level to a maximum of 452m on the high moorland, creating dramatic cliffs along the coast (Natural England, 2010).

Landform and process

The upland landscape is formed from Jurassic shales, sandstones and limestones which have been gently folded and eroded over time. To the west and north-west the Cleveland Hills, consisting of shales and sandstones, form prominent escarpments shaped by glacial erosion. Glacial meltwaters have also scoured out steep sided valleys such as Newtondale and Forge Valley (North York Moors Countryside Character Area description).

Bedrock geology

Sandstone underlies the main plateau of the North York Moors forming a distinctive high, flat plateau covered by heather moorland. Streams and rivers have over time cut down in to the plateau to form numerous valleys and dales and high ridges, for example Blakey Ridge. To the south and south-west, limestone forms most of the lower Tabular and Hambleton Hills, which are cut through by narrow river valleys. The Cleveland Dyke, a linear intrusion of once molten magma, can be traced from Great Ayton in the west to Goathland moor in the east. A breakdown of solid geology as a proportion of total land area (where more than 1 per cent) is as follows: 45 per cent sandstone (including ironstone), siltstone, mudstone; 25 per cent sandstone; 15 per cent mudstone; 7 per cent limestone; and 5 per cent limestone and calcareous sandstone (North York Moors Countryside Character Area description).

Superficial deposits

T The high moors have very little drift geology but extensive areas of peat have developed. Glacial till and sandy gravel are found to the north of the area. Some boulder clay can be found along a narrow coastal strip (North York Moors Countryside Character Area description).

Designated geological sites

The NCA includes the following geological sites (Natural England, Geological and Mixed Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 2021):

wdt_ID NCA_ID NAME NCAAreaHa Interest type Area (ha) 2021 Percent of NCA (2021) Count
2361NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Geological6.80.01
2371NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Mixed1,029.52.75
2382NORTHUMBERLAND SANDSTONE HILLS72,694.6Geological45.40.14
2393CHEVIOT FRINGE51,591.3Geological17.10.02
2404CHEVIOTS36,487.9Geological165.00.52
2414CHEVIOTS36,487.9Mixed3,488.99.61
2425BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Geological85.70.18
2435BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Mixed35.80.01
2446SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Geological7.20.02
2456SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Mixed5,569.25.74

Natural England Designated Geological Sites View

Details of individual designated geological sites and their condition can be found on the Natural England website. To view the condition of a site, selects a site, then select the SSSI that legally underpins this, then select “View summary unit condition”.

A close up of layers of limestone on exposed rock face

Soils and Agriculture Classification

The impervious sandstones and high altitude of the high moors produce poor soils (Grade 5) which support extensive heather moorland and rough grazing. Conifer plantations cover 10 per cent of the NCA, such as Dalby Forest, planted on the poorer sandy soils. Slightly deeper and more fertile soils (Grade 4) in the dales and valleys support pasture for livestock and dairy farms. The most productive land is found on the limestone in the south of the area, which gives rise to well drained more fertile soils (Grade 3) making it suitable for arable farming. Grade 4 land is mostly found in the dales and valleys, while Grade 5 soils are found on the moorland platea (Natural England, 2010).

The main grades of agricultural land in the NCA are broken down as follows (as a proportion of total land area) (Natural England, Provisional Agricultural Land Classification, 2019):

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of statutory sites, soils and ALC can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by selecting Designations/Land-Based Designations/Statutory and Landscape.

Map

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to landform, geology and soils, such as geodiversity services and erosion control. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 26: North East and Tees Valley Combined Authorities
  • 28: North Yorkshire and York

 

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Building Stones of England Database

The Building Stones of England Database was created by Historic England in conjunction with the British Geological Survey. It is a interactive map that allows users to explore building stones and their sources throughout England, as well as the bedrock and superficial geology. You can browse the geological map, as well as search for a building stone, stone source or structure, or search by postcode, address or place name.

Old brick buildings with straw roofs

Landform, geology and soils map for NCA25

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Key waterbodies and catchments section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Major rivers/canals

The following major rivers/canals (by length) have been identified in this NCA (Natural England, data informing the 2014 National Character Area Profiles, 2010):

wdt_ID REF_CODE NAME_1 Name Length (km) SumOfShape_Length
11NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Aln7.67,587.2
21NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Coquet5.55,516.0
31NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINWhiteadder Water2.92,904.9
410NORTH PENNINESBlack Burn11.911,853.4
510NORTH PENNINESCroglin Water10.010,042.3
610NORTH PENNINESCrowdundle Beck4.34,337.4
710NORTH PENNINESDevil's Water20.520,464.6
810NORTH PENNINESHarwood Beck9.79,740.2
910NORTH PENNINESRiver Allen4.94,889.0
1010NORTH PENNINESRiver Derwent15.315,268.4

Please note: other significant rivers (by volume) may also occur. Tidal stretches of rivers are not included, which may include some major rivers.

Several rivers drain the plateau and hills towards the south, crossing the limestone hills through narrow steep sided valleys and eventually joining the river Derwent which crosses the Vale of Pickering to flow south through the gap at Malton. These rivers include the Rye, Riccal, Hodge Beck, Dove, Seven, Pickering Beck and the Derwent. The river Esk flows east along a broader valley to enter the North Sea at Whitby. Other short rivers such as Kilton Beck and Easington Beck flow north and east from the plateau into the North Sea.

Water quality

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. These can impact surface water (waterbodies and waterways located above ground) and groundwater (water bodies and waterways located below ground).

Waterbodies such as lakes can also be designated as “eutrophic waters” if the enrichment of the waterbody by nitrate pollution causes accelerated growth of algae, impacting the quality of the water and the balance of organisms within it.

The following NVZs are located within the NCA (Environment Agency, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Designations, 2021):

Water framework directive

River basin management plans cover river basin districts and describe the challenges that threaten the water environment and how these challenges can be managed and funded. The plans include the classification of water quality of surface waters and ground waters.

Draft River Basin Management Plan

The current state of water quality within the NCA can be viewed via the Draft River Basin Management Plan map.

A bridge over a body of water surrounded by trees

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to waterbodies and catchments, such as water provision and water quality regulation. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 26: North East and Tees Valley Combined Authorities
  • 28: North Yorkshire and York

 

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Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing green infrastructure within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These data layers can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these.

A sunset over a body of water

Click on the Water Framework Directive layers on the below map to view the corresponding river names.

Key waterbodies and catchments map for NCA25

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Trees and woodlands section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Total woodland cover

Ancient woodland is any area that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. National Forest Inventory (NFI) woodland includes all forests and woodlands (0.5 hectares and over). The total woodland cover within the NCA is as follows (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023; Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024; this does not consider Natural England’s ‘Ancient Woodland – Revised (England) – Completed Counties’ data as this is being updated in tranches and no full dataset is yet available):

Distribution and size of woodland and trees in the landscape

All native woodland types within the NCA are generally more common on steep slopes and inaccessible areas, for example on the steep sided valleys that cut through the Hambleton and Tabular Hills, where difficult access has protected them from clearance. The most common woodlands are those of the lowland mixed deciduous woodland and lowland beech and yew woodlands types.

Upland mixed ash woodlands are found on the valley sides, particularly on base- rich free draining soil, and are typical of the uplands. Upland oak woodlands are found on acid soils, including the internationally important Arnecliff and Park Hole Woods SAC. Wet woodland is relatively rare and is mainly comprised of alder, willow and birch and is found in wet areas along valley bottoms. Woodland in the lowland areas tends to vary widely in terms of species composition.

Only around 4 per cent of the area supports ancient woodland which tends to be found on the valley sides, and more than half of this has been replanted with conifers.

Veteran trees are a significant landscape feature, especially in some of the older parklands such as Duncombe Park. In the broader pastoral valleys, hedgerow trees and in-field trees are important components of the landscape.

There are extensive conifer and mixed plantations in the east of the NCA, particularly on the lower slopes of the moorland. These are managed by the Forestry Commission, which is developing a ‘continuous cover’ approach to the felling cycle in specific areas such as Wykeham. Conifer and mixed plantations are also found in the west, in the Hambleton Hills.

The highest land on the moorland plateau lacks any tree cover, so the few wooded areas that do exist are often prominent (North York Moors Countryside Character Area description).

Woodland types

A statistical breakdown of the area and type of woodland found across the NCA is detailed below (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023):

Area and proportion of ancient woodland and planted ancient woodland sites (PAWS) within the NCA (Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024):

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to trees and woodland, such as timber and plant-based energy provision, air pollution and climate regulation. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 26: North East and Tees Valley Combined Authorities
  • 28: North Yorkshire and York

 

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Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing woodland access within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these, including woodland planting.

A sunset over a body of water

Trees and woodlands map for NCA25

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Boundary features and patterns

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Boundary features

Pastures are bounded by drystone walls, although in some of the lower lying pastoral landscapes of the wide valleys hedgerows replace walls. Fences are now replacing some of the traditional boundaries (Yorkshire Wolds Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Field patterns

Pastures in the valleys tend to be small or medium in size. Arable fields, on the better lighter soils of the limestone to the south tend to be large, defined by fences or without any boundaries (Yorkshire Wolds Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts 2003).

Agriculture section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

The following tables provide the most recently available statistics from Defra on agriculture within the NCA.

Farm type

The following farm types are located within this NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm size

The following table outlines the sizes of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm ownership

The following table outlines the ownership of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Land use

The following table outlines the types of agricultural land use within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Livestock numbers

The following livestock are farmed within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm labour

The following table outlines the types of farm labour within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Please note: (i) Some of the Census data are estimated by Defra so may not present a precise assessment of agriculture within this area (ii) Data refers to commercial holdings only (iii) Data includes land outside of the NCA where it belongs to holdings whose centre point is recorded as being within the NCA.

NCA25 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to agriculture, such as livestock, cultivated crops and plant-based energy provision. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 26: North East and Tees Valley Combined Authorities
  • 28: North Yorkshire and York

 

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NCA25 Countryside Stewardship statement of priorities

Defra have produced Countryside Stewardship statements of priorities and associated maps for each NCA. These are designed for applicants for Countryside Stewardship funding to identify the priority features and issues being targeted in their NCA and help choose which options to include as part of an application.
 
Further information about Countryside Stewardship is provided by the Rural Payments Agency, Defra, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

A herd of cattle grazing on a lush green field

Note that the below map only shows agri-environment scheme coverage, and not other schemes.

Agriculture map for NCA25

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Key habitats and species section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Habitat distribution/coverage

There are over 40,000 ha of internationally important upland heathland which represents the largest expanse of this habitat type in England. Over half of this heathland consists of dry heath vegetation communities on free- draining soils or shallow peat, and these are dominated by ling heather and wavy hair grass, with bilberry and bell heather locally abundant. Where the soil drainage is impeded, wet heath communities occur. These heathland habitats, although the dominant land cover in some areas, exist in a complex mosaic of habitats including blanket bog and fen. These mosaics provide internationally important sites for breeding populations of golden plover and merlin. The variation in vegetation structure and site wetness provide a key nesting and feeding resource.

In valley bottoms where there is impeded drainage and a natural water supply, a range of wetland habitats are found including lowland fens, flushes, wet woodlands and purple moorgrass/rush pastures. Internationally important fen communities occur at Fen Bog (Newtondale) where bog mosses (Sphagnum sp.) are abundant alongside a range of sedges. At Eller’s Wood and Sand Dale SAC the springs and flushes, where lime-rich water seeps from the hillsides, support important population of Geyer’s whorl snail. A survey in 2011 has revealed a number of significant areas of alkaline fen including Jugger Howe, Newtondale, Blaiksey Bank, Sand Dale, Rosekirk Dale and Troutsdale, making this NCA one of the most important areas in England for this habitat.

The north of the NCA contains large areas of woodland including many of national and international significance. The internationally important upland oak woodlands at Arnecliff and Park Hole Woods supports the Killarney fern with a greater number of sporophytes present than anywhere else in the UK.

Coastal areas of the NCA comprise both hard and soft sloping cliffs of glacial till and Jurassic rocks. Most notable of these areas are the internationally important maritime cliff and slopes habitats of the Beast Cliff – Whitby (Robin Hood’s Bay) SAC, which represent some of the best examples of vegetated sea cliffs on the north-east coast of England. Vertical hard cliffs support maritime crevice and ledge vegetation, and the more gently sloping parts of Beast Cliff itself are covered by scrub and woodland. Areas of calcareous clays support typical calcareous grassland and wet flush plant communities, whereas heathland species occur on more acidic sandstone outcrops. The recently extended list of priority habitats (formerly BAP habitats) includes a number of intertidal and marine habitats which are found along and off the North Yorkshire coast.

Species-rich grasslands are relatively rare in the NCA, although a range of types occur including lowland calcareous grasslands and lowland meadows. Of particular interest are the species-rich calcareous grasslands found on the thin, dry soils of the limestone areas of the Tabular and Hambleton Hills in the south. These grasslands support a range of interesting species including the Duke of Burgundy butterfly and pearl-bordered fritillary both of which require mosaics of grassland and shrub habitat.

There are extensive areas of bracken on moorland fringes and valley sides (Natural Area Profile).

Key Habitats

The NCA contains the following areas of key main habitats, as mapped by the national Priority Habitat Inventory (Natural England, Priority Habitats Inventory, 2021; 2024; Natural England, Wood Pasture and Parkland, 2020). Note: lakes and ponds were not included in 2021 data:

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of priority habitats and some key species can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by selecting Habitats and Species/Habitats and Habitats and Species/Species, including priority species for Countryside Stewardship targeting.

Map

National Biodiversity Network Atlas

The National Biodiversity Network Atlas is an online tool that provides a platform to engage, educate and inform people about the natural world. This includes maps showing locations of S41 species.

A butterfly sitting on a flower.

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to key habitats and species, such as biodiversity and pollination. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 26: North East and Tees Valley Combined Authorities
  • 28: North Yorkshire and York

 

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Defining Favourable Conservation Status Reports

Favourable Conservation Status definitions describe an England scale ambition for habitats and species. They provide context for decision making and actions to achieve and sustain thriving wildlife for each habitat type. This can inform actions for each of the relevant habitats within the NCA.

Broadleaf woodland in autumn

Carbon Storage by Habitat Reports

Terrestrial and marine managers can mitigate climate change by adopting practices which promote carbon storage and reduce emissions while enhancing the biodiversity value of ecosystems. The Carbon Storage by Habitat report examines how different management options may impact on sequestration or loss of carbon by habitat, and can inform actions for each of the relevant habitats within the NCA.

Body of water on marsh landscape

National Biodiversity Climate Change Vulnerability Model Report

Natural England has developed a GIS model that provides an assessment of the vulnerability of priority habitats to climate change based on principles of adaptation for biodiversity. It identifies why areas are vulnerable and which possible interventions can have the biggest impact in increasing resilience to the changing climate. This will inform prioritisation of adaptation action and assist in the development of adaptation strategies for biodiversity within the NCA.

Houses on a white coastal cliff edge

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These data layers can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these.

A sunset over a body of water

Key habitats and species map for NCA25

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Settlement and development patterns section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Settlement patterns

The present strong pattern of nucleated villages in the upland dales, along the coast and the calcareous soils in the south, developed between the 9th and 13th centuries. Planned linear and green settlements, with tofts to back lanes, are a major feature. Industrialisation drove the nucleation of former dispersed settlements in the Cleveland Hills. Small settlements and farmsteads are more dispersed around the fringes of the open moorland plateau. The market towns of Helmsley, Pickering and Kirkbymoorside developed on the boundary of the upland with the low lying adjacent land. Small fishing villages with narrow streets developed on the coast, such as Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes, along with the larger port of Whitby with its fine 18th-century architecture. Scarborough, Whitby and Saltburn all also developed in the 19th century as seaside resorts (Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts 2003).

Main settlements

Overall the area is sparsely populated, with settlements largely around the southern edge and along the coast, with small villages in the wider Esk dale. The main settlements include the seaside towns of Scarborough (38,364) and Whitby (13,594), and the market town of Helmsley (1559). The small towns of Pickering (6616) and Kirkbymoorside (2595) lie on the southern boundary of the NCA, along the spring line where the upland slopes meet the low lying Vale of Pickering (Office for National Statistics census data 2001; Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts 2003)

Local vernacular and building materials

Traditional farmsteads relate to a mixed farming base serving the rearing and fattening of livestock. Earlier farmsteads predominate in village centres some of which relate to holding and field layouts established in the medieval period. Pre-1750 fabric is largely confined to evidence of former longhouses in surviving dwellings. Farmsteads are dominated by two-storey farmhouses and combination barns, predominantly constructed of stone. A limestone band spans the southern edge of the National Park with sandstone predominating elsewhere. Some brick farm buildings do occur although these often accompany a stone built farmhouse. Most have pantiled roofs although some have slate indicating wealth and status. Areas of thatch do occur to the south-east although usually restricted to domestic buildings. Many farmsteads retain original door and window fitments conforming to national pattern book exemplars. Local variations include the Yorkshire sliding sash and Whitby composite windows – the latter found mainly in the east. About 78 per cent of historic farm buildings remain unconverted, while about 92 per cent are intact structurally (Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts 2003).

NCA25 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Building Stones of England Database

The Building Stones of England Database was created by Historic England in conjunction with the British Geological Survey. It is a interactive map that allows users to explore building stones and their sources throughout England, as well as the bedrock and superficial geology. You can browse the geological map, as well as search for a building stone, stone source or structure, or search by postcode, address or place name.

Old brick buildings with straw roofs

Settlement and development patterns map for NCA25

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Key historic sites and features section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Origin of historic features

Prehistoric evidence includes: rock art; Mesolithic occupation sites in the central moorlands; Neolithic barrows; prehistoric field systems; bronze-age funerary and associated ritual monuments (upstanding); iron-age hill forts such as Roulston Scar; boundary dykes such as Cockmoor Dyke; paleoenvironmental deposits are preserved by colluvial slippage on valley edges.

Features of Roman origin include Cawthorn Camps and Wade’s Causeway, and coastal signal stations.

Evidence of early medieval activity: carved stone crosses; place names indicate settlement by Angles in Tabular Hills and Danes in the north-east and north-west uplands. Later Norse settlement across most of the uplands. Small nucleated villages with associated open field systems. The Royal Forest, centred on Pickering, also housed small villages. Anglo-Saxon monasteries date from this period.

Features of medieval date: cruck built heather-thatched buildings; wayside crosses; traditional communication routes; 12th to 15th-century monastic granges relating to the religious houses of Byland Abbey, Baysdale, Guisborough, Lastingham, Rosedale, Mount Grace, Newburgh, Wykeham and Whitby; Later 16th-century enclosure; castles in the central dales and moorland fringe such as Ayton, Cropton, Danby, Helmsley, Mulgrave, Pickering, Scarborough, Skelton, Whorlton; linear strip fields survive east and west of Pickering; small scale stone quarrying; use of water power for corn milling and fulling; pillow mounds (rabbit farming).

Post-medieval features: stone and pantile buildings; alum coal, stone, jet and ironstone exploitation in central moorlands; parliamentary and local enclosures; large estates such as Duncombe; water collection and management, such as Foord’s water traces; forest clearance.

Features from more recent times include: Victorian tourism at Whitby; fishing; WWII and Cold War defensive structures along the coast such as RAF Danby Beacon (Countryside Quality Counts Draft Historic Profile, Countryside Character Area description).

Designated historic assets

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Listed buildings

The NCA includes the following listed buildings (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Heritage at Risk Register

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets listed within the Heritage at Risk Register (Historic England, Heritage at Risk Register, 2021; 2023):


NCA25 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer

The Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer is a tool that displays archaeology that has been identified, mapped and recorded using aerial photographs and other aerial sources across England, including within the NCA over time.

Archaeologists excavating a site near the coast.

Key historic sites and features map for NCA25

View Key historic sites and features map for NCA25 full screen in a new tab
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Recreation and access section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Public access

The following areas of public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; National Trust, 2021):


Please note: Public access areas may overlap.
The following linear routes or public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; Sustrans; 2021):

Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing public rights of way within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Recreation and access map for NCA25

View Recreation and access map for NCA25 full screen in a new tab
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Experiential qualities

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Tranquillity

Based on the CPRE map of tranquillity (2006) the upland areas of the North York Moors are shown to be some of the most tranquil in the whole of Yorkshire and Humber. The towns and surrounds of Scarborough, Whitby and Saltburn are the least tranquil areas of this NCA.

A breakdown of tranquillity values for this NCA are detailed in the table below (CPRE, Tranquillity Map, 2006):

Dark skies

Light pollution is a generic term referring to artificial light that shines where it is neither wanted nor needed, and can impact on people’s experience of the countryside within the NCAs. CPRE host an interactive map, depicting the light pollution and dark skies within the NCA.

Dark Skies Interactive Map

CPRE commissioned LUC to create maps of Great Britain’s light pollution and dark skies. Using satellite data, the map shows the amount of light spilling up into the night sky. By turning on the National Character Areas layer on the map, the light pollution and dark skies within England’s NCAs can be viewed. By clicking on the individual NCA and selecting PDF Map/More information, more detailed mapping and information for this NCA can be viewed.

Intrusion

The 2007 Intrusion Map (CPRE) shows the extent to which rural landscapes are ‘intruded on’ from urban development, noise (primarily traffic noise), and other sources of visual and auditory intrusion.

A breakdown of intrusion values for this NCA is detailed in the table below (CPRE, Intrusion Map, 2007):

Notable trends from the 1960s to 2007 are substantial increases in disturbed land over the period, from a very low 5.8 per cent to just under 18 per cent. Intrusion is due to noise, primarily from traffic, urban development (low in this area) and other sources of visual and auditory intrusion.

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