North York Moors

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Skelton Tower

Skelton Tower by Mike KiplingSkelton Tower by Mike Kipling

The romantic ruins of Skelton Tower are perched on the edge of Newtondale and command amazing views towards Goathland Moor to the north, Pickering to the south, and down Newtondale itself and over the track of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

The two-storey tower was built around 1830 as a shooting lodge by a former rector of Levisham, the Reverend Robert Skelton. Some say that he wrote his sermons in the lodge but it is also rumoured that he escaped here to enjoy a quiet drink!

The grassy headland it sits upon is called Corn Hill Point because the pastures around about were ploughed up and used for growing crops during the Napoleonic wars.

It's a wonderful spot for a picnic, and to capture a picture of the steam trains far below. Accessible only on foot, our Levisham Moor and Hole of Horcum walk includes a diversion to the Tower or take the shorter walk from Levisham Station. 

Accessibility

Moorland path so not suitable for wheelchairs.

Facilities

  • None

Further information

Public transport: North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Levisham station.

Skelton Tower
Grid Reference: SE 820929
Access from Levisham Station
Grid Reference: SE 818911

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