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Steep steps and exposed moorland edges

Cringle Moor - Drake Howe

435m Elevation
176m Prominence
England Country
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Overview

Cringle Moor is a 434.7 m Marilyn in the Cleveland Hills, within the North York Moors National Park. Drake Howe’s burial mound and the nearby natural high point lie south of the Cleveland Way. Falconer’s Seat is a separate viewpoint on the edge, overlooking the Cleveland plain. Lord Stones Country Park is a useful starting point for both a summit return and the published viewpoint circuit.

Cringle Moor - Drake Howe

Cringle Moor is a 434.7 m Marilyn in the Cleveland Hills, within the North York Moors National Park. The Cleveland Way follows its northern escarpment, but staying on the edge does not take you to Drake Howe.

Summit and viewpoint

DoBIH records a natural high point at NZ5381702894, with equal-height ground 10 m northwest. Its comments separately identify the higher Marilyn summit on the rim of the Drake Howe tumulus at NZ5374702961; the natural ground beside that tumulus is about 0.6 m lower than the recorded natural high point. These are different locations. Falconer’s Seat and view indicator are a separate viewpoint on the Cleveland Way.

Drake Howe is a scheduled prehistoric round barrow. Leave its stones undisturbed.

Walks from Lord Stones

For the tumulus summit, follow the Cleveland Way east from Lord Stones past Falconer’s Seat, then take the established southward spur through the heather to Drake Howe. Return along the same spur and Cleveland Way to the start. This is an out-and-back planning option, using the documented summit spur.

The National Park’s Lord Stones walk is a different, complete 4.4 km circuit with a published duration of 2 hours. It goes out below the escarpment, climbs the eastern steps and returns along the edge via the viewing seat. It does not include Drake Howe. Adding a summit detour changes that itinerary and its distance and time.

Access and facilities

Start at Lord Stones Country Park, Carlton Bank, NZ524030, TS9 7JH. Check parking terms and opening with the operator. There are refreshments and toilets at the trailhead, subject to opening; carry supplies on the hill.

Hodgsons service 89 serves Carlton-in-Cleveland below the hills. A bus journey needs a separately planned uphill approach and return connection.

Terrain and safety

Steep stone steps and severe drops require care, especially in wet, icy or windy conditions. Keep children close and stay away from cliff edges. Low cloud can obscure the summit spur. Use a map and navigation equipment; do not take shortcuts through old workings.

Follow the circuit’s short-lead advice. Before leaving the right of way for Drake Howe, check open-access and dog restrictions. Check current path notices and obey signs on the ground. Do not light fires or disturb wildlife or archaeological remains.

Landscape

BGS describes Jurassic sandstone formations in Cringle Moor’s northern scarp. The edge viewpoint looks over the Cleveland plain towards Middlesbrough, Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument. Carlton Moor and Cold Moor are neighbouring hills; Roseberry Topping is farther north.

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Drake Howe from Lord Stones (out and back)

From Lord Stones Country Park (NZ524030), take the Cleveland Way east and climb to Falconer’s Seat. Continue along the edge path, then use the established spur south through the heather to Drake Howe. The tumulus rim at NZ5374702961 is the Marilyn summit identified in DoBIH’s comments; the separately recorded natural high point is at NZ5381702894. Return along the spur, then retrace the Cleveland Way past the seat to Lord Stones. Check access and dog restrictions before taking the moorland spur; keep off the cliff edge and leave the barrow stones undisturbed.

Steep ascent; moorland navigation

Lord Stones and Cringle Moor viewpoint circuit

The National Park’s complete circuit starts and finishes at Lord Stones (NZ524030). Follow the lower contour track east beneath Cringle Moor, turn uphill onto the Cleveland Way before the stream, climb the steep stone steps and follow the edge west to Falconer’s Seat. Descend from the seat and retrace the initial track to the café and car park. Its published 4.4 km and 2 hours apply to this viewpoint circuit, which does not visit Drake Howe. The stepped climb and moorland edge have severe drops.

4.4 km ~2 hours Steep stone steps; exposed edge
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn 400-499m hill

Elevation

435m

1,426 ft

Prominence

176m

Coordinates

54.4187, -1.1722

NZ538028

OS Map

93

Explorer: OL26N

At the Summit

Drake Howe is a burial mound with a cairn on its rim. DoBIH identifies the Marilyn summit on the tumulus rim at NZ5374702961, separately from its recorded natural high point at NZ5381702894; equal-height natural ground lies 10 m northwest of that point. Falconer’s Seat and its view indicator are on the Cleveland Way edge, not at either summit location.

Terrain & Geology

Steep stone-pitched steps paved ridge paths exposed escarpment edges heather moorland narrower summit spur uneven contour tracks and wet ground

Jurassic sedimentary rocks shape the escarpment. BGS records sandstone units of the Saltwick and Cloughton formations at Kirkby Bank on Cringle Moor’s northern side, above older mudstones and shales.

Views & Scenery

The Cleveland Way edge and Falconer’s Seat overlook the Cleveland plain and Middlesbrough, with Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument visible in clear conditions. These are viewpoint views; visibility depends on the weather.

History & Heritage

Historical Significance

Drake Howe is a prehistoric round barrow protected as a Scheduled Monument (Historic England entry 1010531). Nearby Three Lords’ Stone is associated with an ancient burial site and later estate boundaries. Old jet workings also survive in the landscape below Cringle Moor.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Lord Stones Country Park on Carlton Bank, NZ524030, postcode TS9 7JH, is the start of the National Park’s walk. Use the designated parking and check current opening, closing and parking terms with the operator.

Public Transport

Hodgsons Coaches service 89 on the Northallerton–Stokesley corridor serves Carlton-in-Cleveland Primary School. The village stop is below the hills, not at Lord Stones: plan the additional uphill approach separately. Check the current timetable and return service before travelling.

Nearby Facilities

Lord Stones Country Park has a café, farm shop and restaurant; the published walk lists toilets at its start and finish. Check current opening with the operator and carry food and water for the hill. The summit itself has no visitor facilities.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Severe drops border the stepped ascent and moorland edge. Stay back from cliffs and supervise children closely.
  • Wet or icy stone steps can be slippery. Strong winds and low cloud make the exposed moor harder to navigate.
  • Do not use old quarry faces, mine workings or spoil slopes as shortcuts. Keep to established paths.
  • Keep dogs on a short fixed lead on the published circuit. Check separate access-land dog restrictions before taking the Drake Howe spur.

Seasonal Hazards

Allow for mud after rain, icy steps in freezing weather and reduced winter daylight. In dry spells heed fire-risk notices: do not light fires or barbecues. Check current path and open-access restrictions before setting out.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

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Location

Cringle Moor - Drake Howe location map

Grid reference: NZ538028

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