The site of a significant prehistoric settlement near Hackness, Scarborough, has been severely damaged by repeated illegal off-roading, according to archaeologists from the North York Moors National Park Authority.
The settlement, which is thought to date back to the Iron Age (around 2,500 years ago), consists of a large rectangular enclosure containing a number of well-preserved earthwork features. Situated in what was once a prominent location in Wykeham Forest (now managed by Forestry England) the site provides a fascinating glimpse into how people lived, farmed, and defended their communities during later prehistory.
The damage, which includes severe rutting, churn-up and disturbance to the ground, has been caused by four-wheel drive vehicles repeatedly travelling over the earth banks and ditches of the monument during (or just after) wet weather. Sadly, one of the historic banks has been eroded down to the rubble core.
The incident was reported by a concerned member of the Scarborough Archaeological Society in late 2024, prompting a site visit by the National Park Authority and Forestry England. Immediate measures were taken to prevent further vehicle access, however equipment has since been used to remove these barricades and there has been further damage caused by vehicle movements.
Miles Johnson, Head of Historic Environment at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said:
"The severity of the damage is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of archaeological sites to this kind of criminal behaviour. It’s astonishing that those who have caused this very obvious harm to the landscape have not only returned but gone to some lengths to regain access to a clearly blocked site. This is not ignorance but a blatant disregard for the law.”
Illegal off-roading is any activity which involves driving a motor vehicle off a designated road without permission from the landowner. This includes driving on non-vehicular rights of way such as footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways, or driving on vehicular routes that are legally closed to motor vehicles. Illegal off-roading is different from responsible use of unsurfaced unclassified roads (UURs) and byways open to all traffic (BOATs), for so-called ‘green laning’. Importantly, both UURs and BOATs are still classified as roads, so drivers are required to have a license and insurance, and vehicles must be taxed and registered as per the Road Traffic Act 88.
Driving a vehicle, including a car, quad bike or motorcycle, off-road without permission of the landowner is an offence. Damage to a Scheduled Monument is also a criminal offence under Section 28 of the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas act.
Miles continued:
"We hope this incident can spark greater community awareness and understanding of the need to protect our shared heritage from illegal and antisocial behaviour.”
Katie Thorn, Historic Environment Advisor at Forestry England, said:
“We manage over 200 scheduled monuments on Forestry England land in Yorkshire. Illegal off roading is detrimental to the management of these important sites. Working closely with North York Moors National Park Authority and Historic England we are aiming to repair the site to ensure it survives for future generations.”
PC Jamie Manson of North Yorkshire Police said:
"Our area is home to countless historically-important sites, and we should do everything we can to preserve them for future generations.
"Repairing the damage caused to heritage sites by criminal activity is expensive - and the cost to local communities could be immeasurable.
"We regularly patrol these sites to ensure they are protected. I would also urge anyone who lives or works nearby to help us - report any suspicious activity to the police by dialling 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress."
Anyone with information regarding the Wykeham Forest incident should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101. The crime reference number is 12240220658.
ENDS
The North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors is a beautiful landscape of stunning moorland, ancient woodland and historic sites. Created on 28 November 1952, it became Britain’s sixth national park. Covering an area of 554 square miles (1,436 square kilometres) the National Park has 26 miles of coastline, two national nature reserves, 840 Scheduled Monuments and over 3,000 listed buildings, attracting an estimated 8.97 million visitors a year.
The National Park has two visitor centres, Danby Lodge National Park Centre and Sutton Bank National Park Centre, providing opportunities for cycling, walking, eating, picnicking, shopping, crafts and wildlife-watching. The centre in Danby also houses the Inspired by… gallery, which features regularly changing exhibitions by artists who draw their inspiration from the North York Moors.
The North York Moors National Park Authority works with a wide variety of people to care for this beautiful corner of Yorkshire, providing apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities with nearly 14% of staff being apprentices from local families.
To view other press releases and for further information about the North York Moors National Park, visit www.northyorkmoors.org.uk
Forestry England
Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 285 million visits in 2023/24. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
- Create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests
- Increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests
- Plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands
For more information visit forestryengland.uk. Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.