Cross Dyke

Heritage Site in Yorkshire Ryedale

England

Cross Dyke

Cottage on lane dropping down to Hawnby This photo is the last picture to complete Hectad SE59.
Cottage on lane dropping down to Hawnby Credit: Phil Catterall

Cross Dyke is a historic heritage site located in Yorkshire, England. It is a well-preserved earthwork that dates back to the Iron Age, making it an important archaeological site. This ancient monument is situated near the village of Cayton, in the Scarborough district.

The site consists of a linear bank and ditch, forming a defensive boundary that stretches for approximately 500 meters. The earthwork is believed to have been constructed around 400-100 BC, during the late prehistoric period. It is thought to have served as a territorial boundary or a defensive fortification, protecting the settlement that once existed in the area.

Cross Dyke is constructed primarily from earth and soil, which were piled up to form a raised bank. The ditch, located on the outer side of the bank, adds an additional layer of defense. The earthwork is still clearly visible today, showcasing the remarkable craftsmanship and engineering skills of the Iron Age inhabitants.

Visitors to Cross Dyke can explore the site and walk along the ancient earthwork, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The site provides a glimpse into the lives and strategies of the Iron Age people who once inhabited this region. It offers a unique opportunity to connect with the past and understand the significance of this ancient monument.

Cross Dyke is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, ensuring its preservation for future generations. It serves as an important archaeological site, contributing to our understanding of the Iron Age history and heritage of Yorkshire.

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Cross Dyke Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.298/-1.193 or Grid Reference SE5289. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cottage on lane dropping down to Hawnby This photo is the last picture to complete Hectad SE59.
Cottage on lane dropping down to Hawnby
This photo is the last picture to complete Hectad SE59.
Hill End House Hill End House to the west of Hawnby Hill.
Hill End House
Hill End House to the west of Hawnby Hill.
Hilltop pasture above Stoney Gill Hole Near level pasture on the hilltop, but the fence to the left is just above a very steep drop into the narrow little valley that is Stoney Gill Hole. The three ridges of Hawnby Hill, Easterside and Roppa Edge in the distance.
Hilltop pasture above Stoney Gill Hole
Near level pasture on the hilltop, but the fence to the left is just above a very steep drop into the narrow little valley that is Stoney Gill Hole. The three ridges of Hawnby Hill, Easterside and Roppa Edge in the distance.
Bridleway Through Thorodale The majority of the land in Thorodale is part of Hawnby Estate and is mostly managed woodland. Signage indicates that areas not on the public rights of way may be visited on application to the estate office provided there are no ongoing forestry works.
Bridleway Through Thorodale
The majority of the land in Thorodale is part of Hawnby Estate and is mostly managed woodland. Signage indicates that areas not on the public rights of way may be visited on application to the estate office provided there are no ongoing forestry works.
View Across Stubble Field To Coomb Hill
View Across Stubble Field To Coomb Hill
Arden Hall Seat of the Earl of Mexborough, purchased in 1897 from the Tancred family who had owned the property for the previous 300 years. Grade II listed.
Arden Hall
Seat of the Earl of Mexborough, purchased in 1897 from the Tancred family who had owned the property for the previous 300 years. Grade II listed.
Near New Hall Looking east from the road towards Hawnby Hill.
Near New Hall
Looking east from the road towards Hawnby Hill.
Above the Hawnby road The line of trees below the camera position mark the line of the Kepwick to Hawnby road, which for some 2.5mls across the moor is rough surfaced and unsuitable for cars. The view is towards the fields around Arden Hall, the valley of the River Rye and Hawnby Hill beyond to the right.
Above the Hawnby road
The line of trees below the camera position mark the line of the Kepwick to Hawnby road, which for some 2.5mls across the moor is rough surfaced and unsuitable for cars. The view is towards the fields around Arden Hall, the valley of the River Rye and Hawnby Hill beyond to the right.
Footpath  to  Harker  Gates From Mount Pleasant Farm
Footpath to Harker Gates
From Mount Pleasant Farm
View towards Hawnby Hill Crag Taken from Peak Scar. Hawnby Hill Crag is a limestone ridge overlooking upper Ryedale.
View towards Hawnby Hill Crag
Taken from Peak Scar. Hawnby Hill Crag is a limestone ridge overlooking upper Ryedale.
Crooked Hill Wood Oak wood on the flanks of Hawnby Hill.
Crooked Hill Wood
Oak wood on the flanks of Hawnby Hill.
Buildings at Short Acres
Buildings at Short Acres
Long Acres Farm
Long Acres Farm
Harker Gates And Blueberry Wood A majestic Ash tree grows in the pasture below Harker Gates cottage.
Harker Gates And Blueberry Wood
A majestic Ash tree grows in the pasture below Harker Gates cottage.
The road to Kepwick The road from Hawnby to Kepwick on the approach to New Hall. Motorists would be well advised not to attempt to drive this way to Kepwick as the tarmac finishes at Arden Hall, after which there is about 3 miles of rough track before tarmac reappears at the top of Kepwick Bank. The photographer does admit to driving a VW Beetle across here several decades ago.
The road to Kepwick
The road from Hawnby to Kepwick on the approach to New Hall. Motorists would be well advised not to attempt to drive this way to Kepwick as the tarmac finishes at Arden Hall, after which there is about 3 miles of rough track before tarmac reappears at the top of Kepwick Bank. The photographer does admit to driving a VW Beetle across here several decades ago.
Path to St Agnes House Track and public footpath following the woodland edge between New Hall and St Agnes House.
Path to St Agnes House
Track and public footpath following the woodland edge between New Hall and St Agnes House.
St Agnes House Hillside farm in upper Ryedale.
St Agnes House
Hillside farm in upper Ryedale.
Old limestone quarries, North Moor This area of North Moor is currently open access land through the countryside stewardship scheme. The sheep sits amongst old shallow limestone quarries, whilst in the distance are the twin hills of Hawnby Hill and Easterside with Rievaulx Bank beyond.
Old limestone quarries, North Moor
This area of North Moor is currently open access land through the countryside stewardship scheme. The sheep sits amongst old shallow limestone quarries, whilst in the distance are the twin hills of Hawnby Hill and Easterside with Rievaulx Bank beyond.
Show me another place!

Cross Dyke is located at Grid Ref: SE5289 (Lat: 54.298, Lng: -1.193)

Division: North Riding

Administrative County: North Yorkshire

District: Ryedale

Police Authority: North Yorkshire

What 3 Words

///defers.helpfully.opponent. Near Bilsdale, North Yorkshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.298,-1.193
High Buildings
Place: isolated_dwelling
Lat/Long: 54.2971892/-1.1936458
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 54.2937105/-1.1917699
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 54.293662/-1.1914293
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 54.2992783/-1.1936196
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 54.2993253/-1.1939603
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 54.2997103/-1.1970314
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 54.299294/-1.1938128
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 54.2996994/-1.1969027
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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