Sutton Bank
{{Short description|Hill in North Yorkshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Sutton Bank
| photo =Sutton Bank.jpg
| photo_caption = A170 road climbing up Sutton Bank in North Yorkshire
| elevation_ft = 978
| elevation_ref =
| prominence_m =
| listing = (none)
| location = North York Moors National Park, England
| range = Hambleton Hills
| coordinates = {{coord|54.238|-1.215|region:GB_scale:5000}}
| grid_ref_UK = SE515815
| topo = OS Explorer OL26
| type =
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route =
}}
Sutton Bank is a hill in the former Hambleton District of the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire in England. It is a high point on the Hambleton Hills with extensive views over the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray.
The A170 road runs down the bank with a maximum gradient of 1 in 4 (25%), and including a hairpin bend. Vehicles have to keep in low gear whilst travelling up or down the bank,{{cite press release|url=https://www3.northyorks.gov.uk/n2ccpr/2004_/3suttonbank/3suttonbank.pdf|title=Safety study for Sutton Bank|publisher=North Yorkshire County Council|date=24 May 2004|accessdate=7 September 2010|archive-date=19 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719140128/https://www3.northyorks.gov.uk/n2ccpr/2004_/3suttonbank/3suttonbank.pdf|url-status=live}} and caravans are banned.{{cite web |url=https://www.harrogate-news.co.uk/2017/06/05/caravans-seized-sutton-bank-trip/ |date=5 June 2017 |website=Harrogate Informer |title=Caravans seized after Sutton Bank trip |access-date=27 April 2024 |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209190505/https://www.harrogate-news.co.uk/2017/06/05/caravans-seized-sutton-bank-trip/ |url-status=live }}
At the foot of Sutton Bank lies the village of Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe.
File:Warning signs on the approach to Sutton Bank - geograph.org.uk - 801742.jpg
History
Just to the south of Sutton Bank is Roulston Scar, a massive hillfort built in the Iron Age, around 400 BC.{{cite web |website=Brigantes Nation |url=https://brigantesnation.com/roulston-scar-north-yorkshire |title=Roulston Scar |date=29 September 2015 |access-date=27 April 2024 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129143425/https://brigantesnation.com/roulston-scar-north-yorkshire |url-status=live }}
It was the approximate location of the Battle of Old Byland in which the Scots won a major victory over the English on 14 October 1322. King Robert the Bruce had made a forced march with his army in an attempt to surprise the English army which was retreating from a failed invasion of Scotland. John of Brittany, Earl of Richmond held the heights of Sutton Bank while King Edward II with his Queen had withdrawn to Rievaulx Abbey about {{convert|25|km|order=flip}} to the south-east. The Scots fought their way up the steep hillside to totally defeat the Earl whom they took prisoner. King Edward fled ahead of Sir Walter Stewart's forces leaving behind in the Abbey the Great Seal of England and much treasure.{{cite book |last1=Scott |first1=Ronald McNair |title=Robert the Bruce, King of Scots |date=1989 |publisher=Peter Bedrick Books |location=New York |page=203}}
In 1981, an unidentified body was found at Sutton Bank which became known as the Nude in the Nettles.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/08/24/police-plea-over-unsolved-murder-of-nude-in-the-nettles-115875-23366745/|title=Police plea over unsolved murder of Nude in the Nettles|date=24 August 2011|work=Mirror Online|access-date=27 April 2024|archive-date=18 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918100359/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/08/24/police-plea-over-unsolved-murder-of-nude-in-the-nettles-115875-23366745/|url-status=live}}
In 2016, Sutton Bank was included on the route of the third stage of the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36161788 |title=Second day of the Tour de Yorkshire 2016 draws big crowds |date=30 April 2016 |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=1 May 2016 |archive-date=1 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501224103/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36161788 |url-status=live }}
Recreation
The Yorkshire Gliding Club is based at the top of the hill. Sutton Bank bank faces the prevailing westerly winds and has been used for ridge soaring since the early 1930s.{{cite web |url=https://www.ygc.co.uk/info/faq |title=Faq |website=Yorkshire Gliding Club |access-date=27 April 2024 |archive-date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405210028/https://www.ygc.co.uk/info/faq |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ygc.co.uk/info/our-history |title=History |website=Yorkshire Gliding Club |access-date=27 April 2024 |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209214513/https://www.ygc.co.uk/info/our-history |url-status=live }}
Sutton Bank National Park Centre's exhibition explains how the distinctive landscape was formed by glaciers and provides views of Roulston Scar, Hood Hill, and Gormire Lake.{{cite web |url=https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/attractions/sutton-bank-national-park-centre |website=North York Moors National Park |title=Sutton Bank National Park Centre |access-date=27 April 2024 |archive-date=25 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325193520/https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/attractions/sutton-bank-national-park-centre |url-status=live }} There is a bike skills area and cycle shop.{{cite web |url=http://www.suttonbankbikes.co.uk/ |website=Sutton Bank Bikes |access-date=27 April 2024 |title=Welcome |archive-date=23 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323171143/https://www.suttonbankbikes.co.uk/ |url-status=live }} A walking route from the visitor centre takes in what author James Herriot called 'The Finest View in England'.{{cite web |url= https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/outdoors/sutton-bank-the-yorkshire-beauty-spot-with-the-finest-view-of-england-but-a-gruesome-past-4664535 |title=Sutton Bank: The Yorkshire beauty spot with the finest view of England - but a gruesome past |website=Yorkshire Post |access-date=20 March 2025}} In 2025 an accessible trail featuring four new bird-themed artworks by artist Adrian Riley was installed including poems by William Wordsworth and Ian Duhig inspired by the view.{{cite news|title=New partnership lights a beacon for North York Moors arts and culture |url=https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/about-us/press-office/press-releases/new-partnership-lights-a-beacon-for-north-york-moors-arts-and-culture |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=North York Moors National Park}}
There are footpaths close by, including southwards to the White Horse of Kilburn. The {{convert|110|mi|km|adj=on|sigfig=3}} long Cleveland Way National Trail crosses over Sutton Bank.
The North York Moors National Park Authority has developed cycle trails from the visitor centre.{{cite web |url=https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/attractions/sutton-bank-national-park-centre/sutton-bank-bikes-and-cycle-trails |title=Sutton Bank bikes and cycle trails |website=North York Moors National Park |access-date=27 April 2024 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328221440/https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/attractions/sutton-bank-national-park-centre/sutton-bank-bikes-and-cycle-trails |url-status=live }}
Sutton Bank is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, one of three in the North York Moors.{{cite web |url=https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/stargazing-and-dark-skies/where-to-go-and-what-to-see |title=North York Moors National Park Authority - Dark Skies |website=North York Moors National Park |access-date=27 April 2024 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207002945/https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/stargazing-and-dark-skies/where-to-go-and-what-to-see |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline|Sutton Bank}}
- [http://www.yorkshire-guide.co.uk/sutton-bank-lake-gormire.aspx Yorkshire Guide - A Walk around the Kilburn White Horse]
- Panoramic views from Sutton Bank [http://share.gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=11759 here] and [http://share.gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=11757 here].
{{Hills and moors of the North York Moors}}
{{Authority control}}