Attractions and Places To See around Appleton-Le-Moors - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Appleton-Le-Moors, a historic medieval village, offers a blend of historical charm and access to the natural landscapes of the North York Moors National Park. The village is known for its unique 12th-century planned settlement layout and various cultural sites. Visitors can explore ancient landmarks and enjoy scenic views within this distinctive region.
Best attractions and places to see around Appleton-Le-Moors
- The most popular attraction is Bank Top Iron Kilns, a historical site where the landscape was transformed during Rosedale’s Victorian iron rush. These crumbling kilns, chimneys, and other ruins are a testament to a bygone industry and offer expansive views.
- Another must-see spot is Hutton-le-Hole Village Green and Stream, a settlement often considered one of the prettiest villages in the North York Moors National Park. Visitors can expect a picturesque village green with a stream running through it, along with access to moorlands.
- Visitors also love Ana Cross, a man-made monument marking the spot of a prehistoric burial mound from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age. It is topped by a modern replacement of a medieval wayside cross and provides views over the moors.
- Appleton-Le-Moors is known for its historical sites, natural viewpoints, and charming settlements. The area offers a variety of places to explore, from ancient monuments to picturesque villages.
- The attractions around Appleton-Le-Moors are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 50 upvotes and over 40 photos shared across the highlights.
Last updated: July 3, 2026
Bank Top Iron Kilns
Highlight • Historical Site
Bank Top was where all the ironstone came for processing and transport. There would have been a railway, processing works, houses, plus more at this spot in the mid-19th century. Today, the crumbling kilns, chimneys and other ruins here are testament to a bygone industry. You get some breathtaking views at Bank Top, too.
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Hutton-le-Hole Village Green and Stream
Highlight • Settlement
The tree in the rather unusual green in the middle of the village (with a stream running through it!) has a bench under it, and it's a lovely place to sit if you're taking a break here.
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Dundale Griff
Highlight • Viewpoint
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Ana Cross
Highlight • Monument
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Sheriff's Pit
Highlight • Structure
After the mine closed in 1911 nature began to reclaim the site. Birds like ring ouzel have a long association with the mine and rowan trees have been planted nearby to provide them with berries to eat before their long journey back to South Africa.
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Tips from the Community
Dundale Griff is a delightful narrow side valley leading down from Dundale Pond to Levisham Beck. It's an area with significant historical traces, particularly relating to medieval times, when a monastic sheep farm (bercary) was established at the head of Dundale Griff, with the foundations of the stone buildings still visible today. Dundale Pond's history is linked to industrial water supply starting in the 19th century. William Kay, who owned a silk mill requiring substantial water, supplemented his supply by drawing water from a lake at Miswell Farm and connecting it to the hollow at Dundale via a tunnel. He is believed to have constructed a dam at Dundale to create the pond. Another tunnel then carried water from Dundale Pond to the mill. Both lakes were referred to as 'balancing ponds' to maintain consistent water levels. Look out for the herd of resident Highland Cows, actively breeding and very cute small calves can be seen in early summer.
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"Each of these crosses can tell its own story and what motivated people to erect "their" cross at this spot. (...) These wayside crosses were erected as visible signs and attract the attention of many people. The cross is a symbol of life. It stands as a sign of our Christian hope and aims to direct our gaze to Jesus Christ, who has overcome death (...). The cross is a part of our lives, just as it was a part of the life of Jesus. So I hope that many people... will seek out the wayside crosses, whether as places of silence and respite before God, or as places of community gathering, prayer, and praise." (Source: Dean Rainald M. Ollig in: "Wayside Crosses... Small Sacred Monuments as Signs of Popular Piety")
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Apparently regarded by the Victorians as "ill-planned and untidy", but now quite possibly one the most picturesque Moors villages, Hutton-le-Hole is a very popular starting point for hikes. Fairly sizeable car park just on the eastern side of the village off the road to Lastingham. Lots more info available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutton-le-Hole, https://www.yorkshire.com/hutton-le-hole/?srsltid=AfmBOoqlQxZoMrKrxFTMhz3S7ZTijB3NKHNKMKO3WYru-vDGGmjNYk2Q, https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/places-to-go/hutton-le-hole-lastingham-appleton-le-moors
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Photographer @Jessica Mather had the misfortune of not being able to enjoy the view offered by the ANA CROSS site during her run here due to the weather conditions. However, more than two dozen photos of the small sacred monument and the panorama offered by the prominent location can be seen on the hiking highlight of the same name =>> https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/2252418
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Highest cross on the moors, great views across Spaunton Moor when the weather allows.
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Sheriffs Pit is the location of an old iron mine. The views here are mint, you can see for miles through the valleys at the side of the double track
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From Landofiron.org.uk: This landscape was utterly transformed during Rosedale’s Victorian ‘iron rush’ when Bank Top was a centre for the processing and transport of ironstone. Mining began in 1856, with ironstone hewn from nearby Hollins Mines and hauled by a steam winding engine up an inclined tramway to Bank Top. Vast quantities of ore – over 300,000 tonnes a year – were then processed in giant kilns, before being carried by moorland railway to blast furnaces in County Durham and Teesside. The Bank Top site also included coal depots, railway workers’ cottages and an engine shed. Production at Hollins peaked quickly and in 1885 the mines were abandoned, having largely exhausted their iron reserves in just 29 years.
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See the Landofiron.org.uk website for more engaging details on the Sheriff's Pit and other surviving elements of the Rosedale Mines and Railway.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore in and around Appleton-le-Moors?
Appleton-le-Moors is rich in history. You can explore the village's unique medieval layout and visit the Grade I listed Christ Church, known for its French Gothic style and elaborate rose window. Don't miss the historic Bank Top Iron Kilns, a testament to the Victorian ironstone industry, or Sheriff's Pit, the remains of an old ironstone mine. The village also features the historic Moors Inn, a medieval Pinfold, and the Reading Room.
Are there any natural viewpoints or scenic spots near Appleton-le-Moors?
Yes, the area offers stunning natural beauty within the North York Moors National Park. Ana Cross provides lovely views over the moors, especially when the heather blooms purple in summer. You'll also find breathtaking vistas from Bank Top Iron Kilns. Additionally, Dundale Griff offers a delightful narrow valley leading to Dundale Pond, with historical traces and resident Highland Cows.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near Appleton-le-Moors?
The region is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. You can find a variety of hiking and walking routes, from easy strolls to more challenging trails. For specific hiking options, explore the easy hikes around Appleton-Le-Moors. Mountain biking and gravel biking are also popular, with numerous trails available, such as those listed in the MTB Trails around Appleton-Le-Moors guide.
Are there family-friendly attractions or activities in the area?
Absolutely. The picturesque Hutton-le-Hole Village Green and Stream is a charming spot for families, featuring a stream running through the green and access to the Ryedale Folk Museum. Children might also enjoy spotting the Highland Cows at Dundale Griff. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, with Levisham Station nearby, offers a unique step back in time for all ages.
What is the best time of year to visit Appleton-le-Moors?
Appleton-le-Moors is beautiful year-round, but summer is particularly special. During this season, the heather on the moors blooms purple, making viewpoints like Ana Cross especially photogenic. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for hiking, while winter provides a stark, dramatic landscape.
Where can I find unique cultural landmarks in the village itself?
Within Appleton-le-Moors village, you can discover several unique cultural landmarks. Beyond Christ Church, look for the 'Blood Suckers' carvings on a house near The Moors Inn, which are three stone faces said to represent a doctor, lawyer, and parson. The Pinfold, a medieval enclosure for stray livestock, and the historic Reading Room, built for agricultural workers, also offer glimpses into the village's past.
Are there any easy walking routes suitable for all abilities near Appleton-le-Moors?
Yes, there are several easy walking routes. You can find options like the 'Scarth Wood Track – Askew Bridge loop from St Gregory's Church' or the 'Hiking loop from Sinnington'. For a comprehensive list of accessible and less strenuous walks, refer to the Easy hikes around Appleton-Le-Moors guide.
What can I expect to see at Hutton-le-Hole?
Hutton-le-Hole Village Green and Stream is often considered one of the prettiest villages in the North York Moors National Park. You'll find a picturesque village green with a stream running through it, a good pub, and the Ryedale Folk Museum, which is highly recommended for those interested in local history and culture.
What is the significance of Ana Cross?
Ana Cross marks the site of a prehistoric burial mound dating from the Late Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age. It's topped by a modern replacement of a medieval wayside cross, which historically marked an old moorland crossing. It offers expansive views over the moors and is particularly striking when the heather is in bloom.
Can I find any industrial heritage sites in the vicinity?
Yes, the area has a rich industrial heritage, particularly from the Victorian ironstone mining era. The Bank Top Iron Kilns are crumbling ruins of kilns and chimneys that processed ironstone. Nearby, Sheriff's Pit is another significant site, representing the remains of an old ironstone mine that operated from the mid-19th to early 20th century.
Are there opportunities for cycling, specifically mountain biking or gravel biking?
Definitely. The North York Moors National Park provides excellent terrain for cycling. You can find challenging mountain bike routes like the 'Kirkbymoorside and Bransdale loop' or 'Rosedale East Iron Kilns – Bank Top Iron Kilns loop'. For more options, check out the MTB Trails around Appleton-Le-Moors and Gravel biking around Appleton-Le-Moors guides.
What makes Dundale Griff a point of interest?
Dundale Griff is a scenic narrow side valley with significant historical traces, including foundations of a medieval monastic sheep farm. It also features Dundale Pond, which has a history linked to 19th-century industrial water supply. Keep an eye out for the resident herd of Highland Cows, including cute calves in early summer.
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