Top 20 Natural Monuments around Lastingham

Lastingham is surrounded by diverse natural features within the North York Moors National Park. Key natural monuments include the impressive Hole of Horcum Bridleway, a vast natural amphitheatre, and Simon Howe Bronze Age Cairn, which offers panoramic views over Goathland Moor. You can also explore Ana Cross, a site with historical significance and sweeping moorland vistas.

Yes, the region blends natural beauty with rich history. Ana Cross marks a prehistoric burial mound and an ancient moorland crossing. Similarly, Simon Howe Bronze Age Cairn features a well-preserved Bronze Age round cairn, stone row, and standing stone. Even the remains of the old ironstone mine at Sheriff's Pit offer a glimpse into the area's industrial past, now being reclaimed by nature.

The natural monuments around Lastingham offer expansive and varied views. From Ana Cross, you get lovely sweeping views across Spaunton Moor. Simon Howe Bronze Age Cairn provides fantastic 360-degree views over the wild expanse of Goathland Moor. Even from Sheriff's Pit, you can see for miles through the valleys.

The North York Moors are beautiful year-round, but for vibrant colours, consider visiting in summer when the heather blooms purple across the moorlands, making spots like Ana Cross and Simon Howe Bronze Age Cairn particularly photogenic. Spring and early summer are also excellent for wildlife spotting, especially curlews on Spaunton Moor.

Yes, the area around Lastingham is ideal for walking and hiking. Many natural monuments are integrated into popular routes. For example, the Hole of Horcum Bridleway is a well-known route. You can find various hiking options, including easy trails like the 'Bank Top Iron Kilns – Ana Cross loop from Rosedale Abbey' or the 'Lastingham Knoll – Hutton-le-Hole village loop from Lastingham'. Explore more options on the Easy hikes around Lastingham guide.

Beyond hiking, the region offers excellent opportunities for cycling. You can find various mountain biking trails, such as the 'Rosedale Abbey loop' or 'Rosedale East Iron Kilns – Bank Top Iron Kilns loop'. Road cycling routes like 'Rosedale Abbey to Pickering' are also available. For more details, check out the MTB Trails around Lastingham and Road Cycling Routes around Lastingham guides.

Many natural features and monuments in the North York Moors are suitable for families, especially those who enjoy walking and exploring. The open moorlands and varied terrain offer plenty of space for children to enjoy nature. While specific family-friendly ratings for each monument aren't always available, the general landscape encourages outdoor activity for all ages.

The region's geology is distinctive, characterized by Corallian limestones from the Jurassic period. This creates elevated plateaux and steep dales. A prime example of geological erosion is the Hole of Horcum Bridleway, a massive natural amphitheatre formed by spring sapping, where underground water erodes the bedrock.

Visitors frequently praise the glorious scenery and wildlife, especially the sweeping views from the moorlands. The vastness of the moors, particularly when the heather is in bloom, is often highlighted as a very photogenic experience. The tranquility and the blend of natural beauty with historical elements, like the ancient sites on the moors, are also highly appreciated.

Yes, the Margery Bradley Standing Stone is a notable prehistoric monument located on the moorland. This rough, undressed slab is considered to date back to the Bronze Age and stands at the intersection of several parishes, serving as an ancient marker with historical carvings.

While not strictly 'hidden,' Dundale Griff offers a more intimate natural experience compared to the open moors. This delightful narrow side valley leads down from Dundale Pond to Levisham Beck and features historical traces of medieval monastic buildings blending with the natural landscape, providing a tranquil and less-trafficked exploration.

The moorlands around Lastingham are home to various bird species, including curlews that breed there in spring and early summer. Areas like Sheriff's Pit, now reclaimed by nature, have a long association with birds like the ring ouzel, with rowan trees planted to provide berries for them.