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Cleveland Hills, Cleveland and Teesside

Cleveland Hills
The Cleveland Hills are on the northern edge of the North Yorkshire Moors in Yorkshire. The range overlooks Cleveland and Teesside.

The hills rise abruptly from the flat Tees Valley and are well known for the distinctive landmarks such as Roseberry Topping. This hill near the village of Great Ayton features a cone shaped peak. Near the village of Kilburn visitors can see the the 'Great White Horse' which was cut into the hillside there by the local school master in the 19th century.

Great Ayton is also famous as the birth place of Captain Cook . He first took work at the fishing village of Staithes before he went on to become one of the most famous maritime explorers in history. Visitors to the area can take a 70 mile circular drive, known as 'The Captain Cook Country Tour', which takes them through many parts of Cleveland Hills. The route runs from Teesside and then on to the small port of Whitby , from where Cook made his famous sea voyages.

The Cleveland Hills are an upland plateau landscape that is dissected by a series of dales. Evidence suggest that in Neolithic times the upland areas were inhabited in favour of these vales, which would then have been choked with thick forests. Stories still persist of creatures and monsters that reputedly lived in these valleys. At Loftus, there is a place that locals still insist was once the lair of a grisly worm. Many stories persist of strange long bodied dragons living in the region that were killed by men brave or foolish enough to take such monsters on.

The Cleveland Hills are very popular with walkers. This sparsely populated region features extensive areas of heather moorland on plateaux and hills. This helps to create a unique sense of space, expansiveness and openness that walkers will love. Those making the effort to walk the hills are rewarded with panoramic views over moorland ridges, dales, surrounding lowland vales and the sea. The Cleveland Way is a popular walk that was officially opened in 1969. It is reputed as one of the most varied and interesting footpaths in England. The walk, at just a little over 100 miles long, goes from Helmsley in the west to Filey in the east. As the actual distance between these two points is just 30 miles, it is obvious that the walk is not the most direct route between the two points, although it is probably the most interesting

More British Natural features?

Other Cleveland and Teesside Naturals

The River Tees

Brit Quote:
Go as far as you can see; when you get there you'll be able to see farther. - Thomas Carlyle
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On this day:
Battle of Towton - 1461, Battle of Alresford - 1644, Albert Hall Opens - 1871, Captain Scott dies - 1912, First London Marathon - 1981
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