Shallow seas and windy pits

The mysteries of the intriguingly-named windy pits and the natural processes that shaped the dramatic landscape of Sutton Bank will be explored with two free talks on 1 and 3 June, followed by  a free guided walk on 6 June to explore the hidden history of Yearsley Moor in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Windy pits are networks of limestone fissure caves found in the southwest corner of the North York Moors National Park and their name derives from the flurries of air emitted from within. Providing important bat roosts, the discovery of skeletons and other objects in the windy pits suggest they also had a more gruesome use in the Bronze and late Iron Ages. Graham Lee, Senior Archaeological Conservation Officer for the North York Moors National Park Authority will talk about the finds and the importance of the windy pits for nature conservation on Tuesday 1 June.

Geology-expert Brian Sweeney will then take the audience back millions of years on Thursday 3 June to a time of warm shallow seas when the limestone of Sutton Bank was formed and looks at how this iconic landscape was later shaped by ice and meltwater. On Sunday 6 June, the spotlight turns to the human imprint on the landscape with a look at the archaeology of Yearsley Moors which ranges from the Bronze Age through to the Second World War.

“The landscape around Sutton Bank is not only visually stunning; it also has many fascinating tales to tell,” says Jennifer Smith, Project Officer for the £500,000 Heritage Lottery funded Lime and Ice Project. “Attending one of the talks or the guided walk will make you look at an area – perhaps that you thought you knew very well – with a fresh pair of eyes.”

Wondrous Windy Pits and Limestone Stories take place at Sutton Bank National Park Centre from 7pm to 8.30pm. The walk to explore Yearsley Moor starts at 2pm and will take around 90 minutes. There is no charge for these events but booking is advisable to guarantee a place – call ✆ 01439 772738.

Above: The view towards Sutton Bank and Hood Hill. Left: A windy pit, yesterday