The exceptional and occasionally bloody history of Sutton Bank is to be explored as part of a new project that will bring together community research, archaeological excavations and an array of public events and volunteering opportunities.
Famously described as the ‘finest view in England’, thousands of visitors to Sutton Bank National Park Centre enjoy its panoramic position each year. However, many are unaware of the area’s historic significance, or the ancient landscape in which the Centre sits.
Now, thanks to a grant of more than £280k from National Grid's Landscape Enhancement Initiative, a three-year project entitled ‘Raiding the Bank’ will investigate the standout moments in history of this iconic landmark and the surrounding area.
“The sheer number of heritage sites within a small area is quite unusual,” said Steve Collison, who has recently been appointed as Raiding the Bank Project Officer at the North York Moors National Park Authority.
“From the Iron Age Hillfort at Roulston Scar, dating from around 400BC, to the dummy airfield of the second World War, our timeline stretches back across history. We also have the Norman Motte that was located on the prominent Hood Hill, and then in October 1322, what is likely the bloodiest date of all, the Battle of Byland.”
In 2022, a flurry of events took place to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Byland, a significant encounter fought during the Scottish Wars of Independence. This piqued interest in the area’s history and whether any physical evidence could be found to help tell its fascinating story.
“With the help of volunteers and community members, we’ll be carrying out archaeological fieldwalking, geophysical surveys, and small targeted excavations” continued Steve.
“We’re also delving into local archives, particularly those relating to the fascinating past of the Yorkshire Gliding Club.”
During the 1930s, many German glider pilots travelled to Sutton Bank for training, meaning that when war broke out, there was concern this familiarity would lead to it being a target for Nazi invasion. Defensive features, including trenches were therefore built, and a dummy aerodrome containing fake planes was constructed just to the north, designed to divert bombing from genuine airfields.
The National Park Authority will work closely with Yorkshire Gliding Club and Forestry England during the project, along with Historic England and The Battlefields Trust.
Alongside the archeological investigations, the project will see accessibility improvements around Sutton Bank National Park Centre, opening-up the area to more people with additional requirements. Work will also be carried out on the paths at Hood Hill Motte.
As the project sits in what is an important area for wildlife and biodiversity, two ponds will be built to benefit a multitude of species, including the threatened turtle dove.
ENDS
Media contacts
Nina Beadle
Communications Officer,
North York Moors National Park Authority
press@northyorkmoors.org.uk
01439 772577
The North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors is a beautiful landscape of stunning moorland, ancient woodland and historic sites. Created on 28 November 1952, it became Britain’s sixth national park. Covering an area of 554 square miles (1,436 square kilometres) the National Park has 26 miles of coastline, two national nature reserves, 840 Scheduled Monuments and over 3,000 listed buildings, attracting an estimated 8.4 million visitors a year.
The National Park has two visitor centres, Danby Lodge National Park Centre and Sutton Bank National Park Centre, providing opportunities for cycling, walking, eating, picnicking, shopping, crafts and wildlife-watching. The centre in Danby also houses the Inspired by… gallery, which features regularly changing exhibitions by artists who draw their inspiration from the North York Moors.
The North York Moors National Park Authority works with a wide variety of people to care for this beautiful corner of Yorkshire, providing apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities with nearly 14% of staff being apprentices from local families.