As we look to develop a new Design Code - a tool that will shape future development within the National Park - we want to get your thoughts on the below profiles and short films that we have created based on our villages.
Within these we have tried to identify the aspects of design that create a village’s ‘sense of place’ and are asking you to think about places in the same way. We are inviting you to look around a village and tell us what you like about the area, and what you notice. What are the 'design cues' which make a place distinctive? What is good design within the context your local area?
You can submit your thoughts via the following the link at the end of each profile. The villages included on this page include: Thimbleby, Thorgill, Thornton le Dale, Ugglebarnby, Ugthorpe, Wass, West Ayton and Westerdale.
Thimbleby
Thimbleby lies to the west of the National Park just south of Osmotherley. Only the eastern side of the village is included within the National Park although the Conservation Area boundary spreads across the village. It is a good example of a linear settlement, set into the landscape, where houses front a short stretch of road and are set behind grassed verges and well-maintained front gardens with low level boundaries and paths. 10 houses were recorded in the 1301 lay subsidy, and the village appears as ‘Timbelbi’ or ‘Timbelli’, in the Domesday book. Ridge and furrow earthworks are visible on aerial imagery to the rear of some plots.
The prominence of greenery and large mature trees provides a key relationship with the surrounding landscape character. At the northern end of the village, there are expansive views over mosaics of agricultural land and pockets of woodland, overshadowed by Hemmel Hill. The village is associated with the nearby Thimbleby Estate and includes several individual houses and rows of agricultural workers’ houses. Buildings typically take a long and linear form with lower-level extensions of sympathetic proportions. They are generally formed of deltaic ironstone-based sandstone, clay pantile roofs, stone chimneys, and timber Yorkshire horizontal and vertical sliding sash windows. Porches are not a common feature although there are some subtle canopies and narrow pitched porches which match the materials of the host dwelling. Throughout Thimbleby there are many farms and a prominence of agricultural character, including many small single storey outbuildings which timber boarded doors, ventilation slits and glazed pantiles. Of note is a historic stone and pantile gin gang behind a long-range of traditional outbuildings seen at Hill Top Farm. Although not in the National Park, there is also a characterful modest stone reading room, constructed in 1908.
Negative factors: Overhead wires, loss of traditional stone paths, high hedges.
Thorgill is a small hamlet close to Rosedale Abbey. It used to mark the way to the ironstone mines (demolished in 1911) and is now home to a handful of farms and small cottages (all in stone). It is said the hamlet is named after Thor; God of Thunder as magnetic ironstone attracted lighting. The majority of buildings are under a pantile roof, but there is a large proportion of cement pantile (usually resulting from grants given to estates after the war).
Cottages have small front gardens whilst farmhouses have large sweeping gardens looking over open fields. The village as a whole has very long-distance views out towards Rosedale, due to its elevated position.
Dwellings have nearly lost all their historic timber windows and doors but have retained features such as stone water tabling and stone kneelers on the roofs. Boundary treatments are low stone walls, some with triangular stone copings or picket fences. Houses either face the road side or are gable end first onto the roadside. The road is an informal single track which runs through the village, which now ends onto a farm track.
Negative factors: Loss of pantile roofs for concrete, loss of historic windows and doors. The village post-box is no longer in use and has been left to fall into disrepair
Thornton le Dale is located in the south of the National Park, three miles east of Pickering. It is a nucleated settlement with a designed water course running through the village and a large green to its core. The original manorial layouts have influenced its development, and some of the original burgage plots can still be traced. The becks were landscaped and channelled in a picturesque style in the 18th Century and are an important element of the village’s character. Greenspace is found throughout the village. Strips of grass and trees line the re-routed beck running through the village, helping to create attractive spaces to spend time in.
The A170 runs east and west through the village and crosses Maltongate, which runs north and south. Most newer buildings in the village lie south of the A170 and west of Maltongate, whilst the older properties line the A170 and the west side of Maltongate. The village has been substantially extended, with late 20th century and early 21st century housing principally located in the southwest and on rising ground at the eastern end of the village. A new housing development has also been constructed on the eastern periphery of the village (outside of the National Park).
The village itself is a Conservation Area due to the age and significance of many of its buildings. The village’s heritage buildings are full of character, with most of them being small scale, 1-3 storey buildings that maintain many attractive traditional features. The windows in Thornton le Dale are particularly significant, many being traditional Yorkshire sash and tripartite Yorkshire sash. Similarly, the doors in the village represent a range of historical styles including six panel Georgian style doors, four panel Victorian style doors and oval half glazed doors, typical of the 1930s and 1950s. Construction materials used throughout the village also reflect traditional styles, many of the buildings are constructed using sandstone and feature clay pantile roofs. Other styles such as neo-gothic architecture are seen in Victorian buildings like the Hill Memorial Institute. There are over 75 groups of Listed Buildings within the Conservation Area, including 17th Century almshouses on Chestnut Avenue, the thatched Beck Isle cottage and 14th Century All Saints Church. The 17th Century Beck Isle Cottage, with its distinctive thatched roof, has adorned many a chocolate box over the years.
Negative factors: Loss of traditional windows and doors. Close boarded fencing. Infill development may not follow the character of the Conservation Area. Modern signage.
Ugglebarnby lies to the east of the National Park close to Sleights. It is a nucleated settlement arranged around All Saints Church which occupies an elevated and prominent position in the centre of the village. The main road is called The Cliff, indicating its steep incline as it winds through the village. A second road, Foss Hill, runs behind but parallel to The Cliff and is less developed. A mature tree belt runs along the shallow valley between these two roads and around the churchyard which together with high mature hedging along the highway edges gives Ugglebarnby a soft and natural character.
Development is sporadic in its form, with clusters of buildings interspersed by large open gaps and fields. These gaps provide far reaching views over the surrounding countryside. Most development lies to the north of the main road where detached buildings generally face the highway, but set are back behind small front gardens bounded by dry stone walling. There is limited development to the south of the main road where development is generally set further back from the highway, but a few small traditional garage buildings skirt the highway edge. Sandstone and natural red clay pantiles are the main building materials although slate is evident. Water tabling is generally limited to the traditional building stock and chimney stacks are stone. Windows and doors are mainly white uPVC, but timber exists on Rose Cottage as well as some outbuildings.
Negative factors: Loss of traditional window styles and proportions. Overhead wires and poles. Wide accesses and parking areas have eroded the grass verge.
Ugthorpe lies close to the coast. As well as farming, Ugthorpe has a strong religious history forming an ancient demesne of the Crown (Crown land or royal domain). There are two Churches in the village, Christ Church and St Anne’s Catholic Church. The village is mainly laid out in linear form, running east to west along the Postgate Way with most development lying to the north of the road. The exception to this is The Green cul-de-sac which is at odds with the original layout of the village. Buildings are set back from the highway edge behind stone walls, native hedging or timber railings with small front gardens. There has been some small-scale infill development which overall has reflected the linear form of the village.
The large open field to the south of the road provides long distance views out over the open countryside which reinforces the rural and spacious feel of the village. Sandstone is the predominant building material and while render is evident it is alien to the overall character and appearance. Red clay pantile is the main roof covering and while slate is evident, it is less common and mainly limited to key buildings. Stone chimney stacks and stone water tabling are also common throughout the village. Windows and doors tend to be white painted timber or white uPVC. Negative factors: Loss of traditional window styles and non-painted doors. Dormers to recent developments. Fascia boarding. Overhead wires and poles to the western half of the village. Building stone used in recent developments.
Wass lies to the southwest of the National Park between Ampleforth and Coxwold. The tree-clad escarpment provides a natural setting and backdrop to the village. Trees and hedges interspersed with timber picket fences and drystone walls are the common boundary treatment and a prominent feature of the village. The historic core focuses on the junction and includes the Pub, Hambleton Lane, Wass House and The Coach House are located close to, or front, the highway.
The more historic buildings are generally of modest 2-storey size with white painted sash and casements and white painted timber doors. uPVC is also evident throughout the village. Wass has seen incremental development over the years, the most notable being the New Row terrace which dates from the late 19th century as well as 20th century infill. Limestone is the only building material with a mixture of natural red clay pantile and slate roof coverings highlighting the influence of the railway. Despite not following the historic pattern of development, the later development of large, detached houses, set back in their plots have integrated well into the street scene through the retention/continuation of the traditional boundary treatment and use of stone and pantile materials. The village has generally resisted the use of roof lights and dormers.
Negative factors: Loss of boundary features such as walls, gates, and mature planting in several locations. Wide driveways using modern coverings. Overhead wires and poles. On-street parking. Modern highway signs. Loss of traditional window and door designs.
Lying towards the foot of the Tabular Hills, West Ayton is divided by the River Derwent, on the southeastern edge of the National Park. The National Park boundary follows the line of the former Pickering to Scarborough railway line and only the northern part of West Ayton lies within the National Park. The railway was operational between 1882 to 1950. Most of the historic core lies within the National Park, comprising a cluster of historic stone buildings, including the former mill building, located north of the A170 and west of the River Derwent. This area makes up the Conservation Area which was designated in 1995. The part of West Ayton located to the south of the A170 includes some older residential buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries but also a concentration of late 19th century villas, mostly constructed in brick, close to the former railway station. The Station House and station buildings remain although the wider station area is currently used as a highway’s depot.
Many of the larger residential properties within the settlement stand in sizeable gardens planted with fine mature trees. Sandstone is the main building material although brick is evident in small pockets. Natural red clay pantile is the common roof covering with slate evident on prominent buildings and concrete pantiles on post war developments. Stone water tabling is evident on stone buildings and brick is common for chimney stacks. Windows are generally white painted and where traditional windows exist these are vertical or horizontal sashes. UPVC is common, mainly in the more modern developments. Boundaries are generally dry-stone walls, but painted timber picket fencing is also evident.
Negative factors: Busy A170 Road. Modern street signs. Loss of traditional patterns of fenestration. Loss of boundary features. Cement strap pointing.
Westerdale lies in the centre north of the National Park, southwest of Castleton. It is a small, nucleated village which has been strongly influenced by its farming history and the surrounding moorland which forms the setting of the village. Its plan form has altered little since the mid-19th century. Sandstone is the predominant building material although brick is evident at Rose Cottage and Stockdale View (mid-20th century). Most buildings have natural red clay pantile roofs (some concrete pantile), although slate is evident in limited instances.
Dwellings generally face the highway, set back behind gardens bounded by drystone walls and hedges. Simple timber picket fences are common. There is some development behind the main building line where agricultural barns and outbuildings have been converted. The Church is central to the village sits within a substantial plot and is screened by mature trees. The village hall sits to its side and was historically the local school. White painted timber windows of vertical sliding sash design are a feature with painted panel or planked doors. Fields and paddocks provide open gaps in the street scene providing sweeping views of the surrounding moor-topped fields.
Negative factors: Loss of traditional window and door designs. Overhead poles and wires.