Newton under Roseberry

The Domesday Book records two manors in Pinchinthorpe. The eastern half, centred on the modern Pinchinthorpe House (but not as far as the Pinchinthorpe Visitor Centre) and the western half comprising Pinchinthorpe Hall. The photo shows almost the full extent of the western half. Bottom left, partially hidden by trees is Pinchinthorpe Hall. The farm on the right is High Farm. The two farms in the right distance are Spite Hall Farm and Low Farm, also part of the manor. It’s a long narrow manor, I am actually standing on the south-eastern tip. The fields north of the A173 between the hall and High Farm contain lots of humps and bumps, the site of the medieval hamlet. The name itself, Pinchinthorpe, comes from the Norman family of ‘Pinchum’, the 12th-century holders of the manor. The most interesting building through is Pinchinthorpe Hall, a 17th-century house which stands in moated grounds. The moated site and post medieval gardens are currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register as “generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems”. The risk seems to be from gardening. The hall itself has recently been reopened as a hospitality venue. For over 400 years the manor was in the hands of the Catholic Lee family. The family seems to have avoided holding positions of public office and this may have been because of their recusancy. Main source: Dixon, Grace. “Two Ancient Townships – Studies of Pinchinthorpe and Hutton Lowcross”. 1991. ISBN 0 9507827 2 6. For sources and references see my blog Link

When we look at a landscape photo it is very easy to be overwhelmed by the big picture and to miss the little features. In centuries past, these features meant something, far more than now, and they had names. It is these features that reveal interesting aspects of the landscape. The distinctive change in steepness of the north-western face of Roseberry is clearly visible from the Cleveland Plain. This is a shot along the slope. Newton-under-Roseberry is the village extreme right. And the edge on left is Cockle Scar, a name which I think most people climbing Roseberry will not be familiar with, anxious to achieve the summit. Climb the wooden steps then the diagonal path through Newton Wood and when you get to the gate you will have crested Cockle Scar. It’s about at the 200m contour level. The scar is formed from a seam of rock called the Staithes Sandstone Formation, which is more resistant to erosion than Redcar Mudstone Formation below it. When the last ice age ice sheets swept along the Cleveland Plain from the north-west, the softer mudstone was more readily eroded leaving the edge. Staithes sandstone is thinly bedded therefore not used much for building, and so not quarried. Unlike the ‘cap’ of Roseberry which is a different sandstone, the Saltwick Sandstone Formation. Cockle Scar is not named on the modern Tourist O.S. Maps. I haven’t come across many modern references. The 2006 book “Roseberry Topping” is one, issued by the Great Ayton Community Archaeology Project. Early last century, SirAlfred Pease (1857-1939) mentioned the feature in his memoires. Is there a danger of it being lost? For sources and references see my blog Link

Distinctive cone shaped summit of just over 1,000 feet above sea level, set slightly adrift of the Cleveland Hills proper. Seen here from the village of Newton, at the western foot of the hill. A spur from the Cleveland Way gives the National Trail walkers access to the top from the east.

Dedicated to the Northumbrian King Oswald. Parts of the church are of Norman origin, but extensively re-constructed in Victorian times. Grade II Listed Building

Hostelry on the main A173, near Great Ayton

Built into the fabric of St. Oswald’s Church suggesting the existence of a much earlier church.

Parish Boundary Marker in the hedge on the east side of the A173 between Pinchinthorpe Hall and Newton under Roseberry. On the former boundary of Pinchinthorpe and Newton parishes but entirely in Guisborough parish since 1974. No inscription visible. Grade II Listed details Link. Milestone Society National ID: YN_PINNEW01pb

A view taken during a very damp November with a view towards Roseberry Topping from the roadside car park. The roads around Newton under Roseberry are double yellow lined, whilst even the side lanes in the village are resident parking only. This indicates the demand for parking in the area which is popular with walkers heading for Roseberry Topping. The local council has even installed parking ticket machines in the lay-by here.

Most likely converted from old farm buildings.

Line of a bridleway heading towards Bousdale Farm.

The path runs along the top edge of High Bousdale Wood with the familiar shape of Roseberry Topping in the distance.

Gate at a junction of two bridleways close by Hanging Stone Wood. After recent rains the path on the far side of the gate is across some very muddy land.

A short, steep sided valley on the western edge of the hills. It is unnamed on current maps, but the first edition 6" map of the 1850's indicates that this is Bridle Gill. The view extends as far as the industrial landscape of Teesside.

The steep path down towards the col between Newton Moor and Roseberry Topping forms an extra short but challenging diversion from the Cleveland Way. The option is to descend to the col, ascend Roseberry Topping and then reverse the route. Some may be content with the view from the main path.

Anyone ascending Roseberry Topping from Newton might find this the easiest way as it circles around the north side of the hill, leaving the short but steep ascent to the summit from the east side.