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Historical Background

A dense covering of forest would have clothed much of this area during the Mesolithic age, mainly oak, alder, birch and hazel with some pine, elm and lime. The Neolithic period (3000 BC) brought an economy of stock rearing and grain cultivation, but most of the moorland areas were not suitable for this due to poor soil cover. Many tumuli (A) and "howes" or small hills or round barrows are in evidence all over the area. It is thought that the Bronze Age saw the de-forestation of the moors although the valleys and dales remained the same. There was a good deal of Roman occupation in the area but again the moors themselves seem to have escaped.

Around AD 500 came the Angles, and their settlement in this area is substantiated by the place names with 'leah' (meaning forest clearing) for example Thirley Cote Farm, and from this we can assume that forest regeneration had taken place.

The Benedictine Abbey at Whitby held land as far south as Hackness and evidence for this can be seen in Grange Farm and Grange Wood, with Granges acting as outposts for the farming economy of the monastery. The remains of a lime kiln are evident just south of Grange Farm. One of the fields on the farm has the name 'Cowgate Slack' which means 'Cow rent' originating from time when all the valley and dale was rented to the Priory of Bridlington for the price of 50 cows and 20 horses.

More recent memories of activities on the farm from the Knaggs family include harvest time when crops were cut, tied and stacked, with plenty of gale beer made from a shrub (Bog Myrtle) that grew on the moor. Goods like butter, cheese, curd, eggs and corn were brought to Scarborough market to sell, on a pony and trap.

Soils and Geology

Soils in the area are derived from Jurassic clay and shale, and consist of loamy, clayey and silty soils over soft rock with some seasonal waterlogging.

Field Names The names of fields can offer clues to the history of the field and the area e.g. sand hole field.

Access and Parking

The Stewardship land is accessible from public rights of way, and a number of other permissive trails are available for use on the farm. A car park is provided for visitors at the farm near the Country Tea Rooms. A disabled access route has been developed, see walk no. 3. Visits may take place at any time, but prior arrangement for educational visits should be made with Mr. and Mrs. Simpson (Telephone 01723 870026).

Please enjoy your visit and ensure that those after you will enjoy theirs by following the country code at all times. You may find it useful to print this Glossary of Farming