Ruther Cross – Guisborough

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The remains of Ruther Cross now stands amongst houses where Ruthergate once crossed Hutton Lane.

Ruther Cross Ruther Cross

Ruthergate is an ancient trackway which continues south, up through a still visible cutting in Kemplah Woods.

Street House Archaeological Dig

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Stephen Sherlock has been investigating this area for many year, the Street House long cairn was excavated in 1979–1981.

The current excavation started in 2004 has turned up Iron Age, Roman and Anglo Saxon finds, theres a detailed explanation of the site in the May/June issue of British Archaelogy.

The open day on 7th September 2008 was technically cancelled due to weather conditions, but Stephen was kind enough to show those who still came around the remains of a Roman building that has just been uncovered.

Street House Archaeological Dig Street House Archaeological Dig

 UPDATE : The excavations lead to the discovery of the grave of a Saxon Princess, gold artifacts from which can now be seen at Kirkleatham museum

Donna Cross, near Cringle Moor

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Donna Cross is a boundary marker between Cold Moor and Cringle Moor.

Only the base and a small length of the upright now remain.

Donna Cross Donna Cross

A letter ‘E’ is engraved on the base representing the Emmerson family of Easby Hall, and a letter ‘F’ for the Feversham family of Duncombe Park.

 

Fat Betty (or White Cross), Rosedale

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This unusual wheelhead cross right next to road between Rosedale Abbey and Blakey Ridge.

Fat Betty Cross Rosedale Head
Fat Betty Cross Rosedale Head

The name may be derived from a local nun Sister Elizabeth.

Hospital of God Almshouse, Greatham

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The Hospital of God was founded by Robert de Stichell, the Bishop of Durham in 1273 to care for poor and elderly people.

The charity runs 63 almshouses in Greatham, amongst them this spectacular listed building.

Hospital of God Almshouse Greatham

Percy Cross – Percy Rigg

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Virtually nothing remains other a small stone base although the cross was here until 1961

The importance of the site can be seen by the large number of tracks that converge here.
Percy Cross KIldale Commondale

The path was known as the Ernaldsti and ran from Castleton to Guisborough. Both cross and path are named after Ernaldus de Percy, Lord of Kildale

White Cross

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The cross is at the junction of Commondale road with the road from Castleton to Lockwood Beck, although looking around the landscape you can see this has been a major junction long before tarmac roads.

The base of the cross is medieval, the shaft is an 18th century dressed stone replacing the original cross now in the Whitby Museum.

White Cross Castleton / Commondale
Coins left on White Cross Castleton / Commondale

I was happy to see some coins on the top, which is something my grandfather always encouraged me to do as a child.

 

Upleatham Church (almost) the smallest in Britain.

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Upleatham Church 2
Upleatham Church 5
St Andrews at Upleatham, for years I was told this is the smallest church in Britain, but unfortunately that honour goes to Bremilham Church in Wiltshire at 4m by 3.6m. Upleatham is about 6m by 4m
It is actually the remains of a much larger church as can be seen in this detailed report from the 1970s
Remains of the Lowther Vault exist towards the south-east
Upleatham Church 1
Upleatham Church 3

Monks Walk, Guisborough Priory

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This area of the priory is not normally open to the public, but I managed to visit on a Heritage Open Day. The oval avenue of lime trees shows up well on the aerial photos.
Guisborough Priory Monks Walk

One area also contains a large amount of stonework recovered from the priory
Guisborough Priory Monks Walk Stonework
Guisborough Priory Monks Walk Stonework
Guisborough Priory Monks Walk Stonework
Guisborough Priory Monks Walk Stonework

Even though this area is not generally open, theres plenty more to see.
Guisborough Priory Gatehouse
Guisborough Priory Dovecot
Guisborough Priory
Guisborough Priory Tomb

More details on the Guisborough Priory Project website