Roseberry Topping
Roseberry Topping is a large hill found in the North York Moors National Park. The hill stands at 1049 feet and was thought to be the highest in the park, although this has now been disproved. After measuring all the peaks in the park, Urra Moor (near Urra) standing at 1490 feet is the tallest hill in the North York Moors National Park.
How did Roseberry Topping get its distinctive shape?
The hill at Newton Under Roseberry is formed of Sandstone. The hill was created in the Middle and Lower Jurassic Periods and although this was over 150 million years ago, it is still amongst the youngest sandstone hills in the National Parks of England and Wales.
Roseberry Topping is well known for its distinctive shape, although it wasn’t always like this. Until 1914 the hill was a classic sugar cone shape, but due to a geological fault, the side fell and created the distinctive shape we see today. It is not entirely known why it has happened, but it is thought that mining could have been the cause. The hill and the surrounding area were mined for Alum and Ironstone, and you can see the scars today.
Settling at Roseberry Topping
People are thought to have started setting around Roseberry Topping in the Bronze Age. Archaeologists have found a horde dated from the Bronze Age on the side of the hill, which is now being held at Sheffield City Museum.
Evidence of an Iron Age settlement has been around the area of Roseberry Topping. The walled enclosures and huts can all be seen on the ground today. It is obvious that the hill was important to the people living around the area, with it dominating their skyline.
When the Vikings settled in Cleveland they held the hill in high regard and gave it the name we know today. The name Roseberry Topping has been deviated from the original Viking name, which is thought to have been Óšins bjarg toppen meaning The hill of Odin’s Rock or Crag. Over the years the name was deviated to the name we see today.
Until the 1700s Roseberry Topping was a important place to the people of the area. Many visitors were drawn to the fantastic views across the countryside and it was said that the summit was “the most delightful prospect upon the valleys below to the hills above”.
By 1892, an English folk rhyme was recording referring to the hill.
When Roseberry Topping wears a cap, let Cleveland then beware of a clap!
Helping the people of Cleveland know what weather was on the approach!
Roseberry Topping Today
The Hill used to lie in a private estate but it is now in the safe hands of the National Trust. Roseberry Topping is open to the public and part of the Cleveland Way National Trail runs to its summit. On a clear day, from the summit, you can see about 40 – 50 miles away across the surrounding area.
For more information on visiting Roseberry Topping, please see our Attractions Page
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