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Colsterdale Moor

Downs, Moorland in Yorkshire Harrogate

England

Colsterdale Moor

Track above Steel House Gill heading West Substantial track engineered above Steel House Gill giving access onto the tractless moors beyond
Track above Steel House Gill heading West Credit: Chris Heaton

Colsterdale Moor is a picturesque expanse of moorland located in the county of Yorkshire, England. Situated in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this vast area is known for its stunning landscapes, rolling hills, and diverse wildlife.

Covering an area of approximately 7 square miles, Colsterdale Moor is characterized by its gently undulating terrain, with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,300 feet above sea level. The moorland is predominantly covered in heather, providing a vibrant purple hue during the flowering season, which typically occurs from late summer to early autumn.

The area is crisscrossed by a network of footpaths and trails, making it a popular destination for hikers, walkers, and nature enthusiasts. These paths offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, including the nearby Yorkshire Dales and the River Nidd, which meanders through the valley below.

Colsterdale Moor is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds of prey such as red kites, kestrels, and merlins. The moorland provides a vital habitat for these species, as well as numerous other bird species, including lapwings, curlews, and skylarks.

The moorland has a rich historical significance, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. Ancient burial mounds, known as barrows, can still be found scattered across the landscape, providing a glimpse into the area's past.

Overall, Colsterdale Moor offers visitors a tranquil and unspoiled natural environment, providing a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and serenity of the Yorkshire countryside.

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Colsterdale Moor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.223863/-1.837034 or Grid Reference SE1080. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Track above Steel House Gill heading West Substantial track engineered above Steel House Gill giving access onto the tractless moors beyond
Track above Steel House Gill heading West
Substantial track engineered above Steel House Gill giving access onto the tractless moors beyond
Track above Steel House Gill heading East Substantial track following high above the course of Steel House Gill, before joining Long Gill to come the River Burn
Track above Steel House Gill heading East
Substantial track following high above the course of Steel House Gill, before joining Long Gill to come the River Burn
Steel House Gill Rising between South Haw and Great Haw, several tributaries enter this narrow valley to form Steel House Gill. Further down Long Gill comes in from the north combining to create the River Burn.
Steel House Gill
Rising between South Haw and Great Haw, several tributaries enter this narrow valley to form Steel House Gill. Further down Long Gill comes in from the north combining to create the River Burn.
Beldin Gill
Beldin Gill
Valley of the River Burn Looking downstream along the valley of the River Burn, including the fenced off site of a former mine shaft.
Valley of the River Burn
Looking downstream along the valley of the River Burn, including the fenced off site of a former mine shaft.
Shooting House, Swinton Estate Was in use when I passed here. A variety of official looking notices have been erected to prevent the public walking here - not really acceptable as this is now all open access, I saw some of these signs have been torn down
Shooting House, Swinton Estate
Was in use when I passed here. A variety of official looking notices have been erected to prevent the public walking here - not really acceptable as this is now all open access, I saw some of these signs have been torn down
Track beside infant River Burn These are the upper reaches of the River Burn, whose waters eventually empty into the Ure. This track, probably for shooters, gives easy walking beside the watercourse
Track beside infant River Burn
These are the upper reaches of the River Burn, whose waters eventually empty into the Ure. This track, probably for shooters, gives easy walking beside the watercourse
Bridge over Thorny Grane Gill Track gives access to the Shooting Lodge and beyond. This just before Thorny Grane Gill enters the River Burn
Bridge over Thorny Grane Gill
Track gives access to the Shooting Lodge and beyond. This just before Thorny Grane Gill enters the River Burn
Steel House Gill This is where Long Gill joins Steel House Gill, just beyond the trees on the left of the picture. The area is surrounded by grouse moors and the motorable tracks are used by paying clients.
Steel House Gill
This is where Long Gill joins Steel House Gill, just beyond the trees on the left of the picture. The area is surrounded by grouse moors and the motorable tracks are used by paying clients.
Old Pressure Vessel by Steam Engine Mine, Steel House Gill Colsterdale once had many coal mines, and this cylinder was part of Steam Engine Mine. The shaft has been filled with waste and fenced off
Old Pressure Vessel by Steam Engine Mine, Steel House Gill
Colsterdale once had many coal mines, and this cylinder was part of Steam Engine Mine. The shaft has been filled with waste and fenced off
Entrance to New Level Coal Mine You need to look carefully on the North side of the beck to see this, just West of Dawson House. The entrance is barred for safety reasons. This is one of many coal levels and pits in Colsterdale
Entrance to New Level Coal Mine
You need to look carefully on the North side of the beck to see this, just West of Dawson House. The entrance is barred for safety reasons. This is one of many coal levels and pits in Colsterdale
Track to the shooting house The easiest way into the narrow valley beyond High House Farm is by the shooting track on the south side. The bridleway on the north bank is very difficult going through thick heather and bracken. The shooting house is on the Swinton Estate which owns a large area of grouse moor hereabouts.
Track to the shooting house
The easiest way into the narrow valley beyond High House Farm is by the shooting track on the south side. The bridleway on the north bank is very difficult going through thick heather and bracken. The shooting house is on the Swinton Estate which owns a large area of grouse moor hereabouts.
Valley of the River Burn The Burn at the head of Colsterdale, looking downstream towards the junction with Thorny Grane Gill. taken from the right bank where there is a good track. The bridleway on the opposite bank is only for masochists.
Valley of the River Burn
The Burn at the head of Colsterdale, looking downstream towards the junction with Thorny Grane Gill. taken from the right bank where there is a good track. The bridleway on the opposite bank is only for masochists.
River Burn valley landslip On the far bank is evidence of an old landslip, the flattish top of which was once the site of Dawson House.
River Burn valley landslip
On the far bank is evidence of an old landslip, the flattish top of which was once the site of Dawson House.
The infant River Burn Photo taken just a few hundred metres from the start of the River Burn. The small waterfall marks a minor fault which caused problems for coal miners some 200 years ago.
The infant River Burn
Photo taken just a few hundred metres from the start of the River Burn. The small waterfall marks a minor fault which caused problems for coal miners some 200 years ago.
Ruins of New House Little is known about these ruins on a bank above the infant River Burn. Most likely a building used by coal miners some 200 years ago. It seems unlikely that it was ever a dwelling house.
Ruins of New House
Little is known about these ruins on a bank above the infant River Burn. Most likely a building used by coal miners some 200 years ago. It seems unlikely that it was ever a dwelling house.
Ruins of Dawson House There are two sets of ruins on a shelf above the River Burn, either of which could have been Dawson House. Like nearby New House, there is little to indicate what it might have been, although a connection with the local coal pits is very likely. There was a banksman for the mines here in the late 17th century by the name of Christopher Dawson.
Ruins of Dawson House
There are two sets of ruins on a shelf above the River Burn, either of which could have been Dawson House. Like nearby New House, there is little to indicate what it might have been, although a connection with the local coal pits is very likely. There was a banksman for the mines here in the late 17th century by the name of Christopher Dawson.
Junction of gills The junction of Steel House Gill [left] and Long Gill [ahead] must mark the start of the River Burn, which is an insignificant beck at this point, towards the western end of the old coal mining area.
Junction of gills
The junction of Steel House Gill [left] and Long Gill [ahead] must mark the start of the River Burn, which is an insignificant beck at this point, towards the western end of the old coal mining area.
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Colsterdale Moor is located at Grid Ref: SE1080 (Lat: 54.223863, Lng: -1.837034)

Division: North Riding

Administrative County: North Yorkshire

District: Harrogate

Police Authority: North Yorkshire

What 3 Words

///puddings.deposits.supported. Near Leyburn, North Yorkshire

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