Sutton Bank

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.

Sutton Bank
A170 road climbing up Sutton Bank in North Yorkshire
Highest point
Elevation	978 ft (298 m)
Listing	(none)
Coordinates	54.238°N 1.215°W / 54.238; -1.215
Geography
Location	North York Moors National Park, England
Parent range	Hambleton Hills
OS grid	SE515815
Topo map	OS Explorer OL26

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,^[1] and caravans are banned.^[2]

At the foot of Sutton Bank lies the village of Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe.

Warning signs on the approach to Sutton Bank

History

Just to the south of Sutton Bank is Roulston Scar, a massive hillfort built in the Iron Age, around 400 BC.^[3]

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 John of Brittany, Earl of Richmond held the heights of Sutton Bank while King Edward II with his Queen had withdrawn to Rievaulx Abbey about 16 miles (25 km) to the south-east.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.^[4]

In 1981, an unidentified body was found at Sutton Bank which became known as the Nude in the Nettles.^[5]

In 2016, Sutton Bank was included on the route of the third stage of the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race.^[6]

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.^[7][8]

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.^[9] There is a bike skills area and cycle shop.^[10] A walking route from the visitor centre takes in what author James Herriot called 'The Finest View in England'.^[11] 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.^[12]

There are footpaths close by, including southwards to the White Horse of Kilburn. The 110-mile (177 km) long Cleveland Way National Trail crosses over Sutton Bank.

The North York Moors National Park Authority has developed cycle trails from the visitor centre.^[13]

Sutton Bank is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, one of three in the North York Moors.^[14]

See also

Kilburn White Horse