Previous projects


Find out more about some of the previous projects we've been involved with over the last few years.
Natural heritage and land management
Slowing the Flow
The North York Moors National Park Authority is a key partner in the Slowing the Flow Project, to help reduce the risk of flooding to the town of Pickering and surrounding areas. This project took a new approach to flood management by making changes to the way the landscape and catchment is managed. The project was active between 2009 and 2015 but management and monitoring is ongoing.
Cornfield Flowers project
Many of our rarest plants, particularly arable weeds, are on the point of extinction in the North York Moors. We worked with a range of partners and volunteers to collect seed, raise plants and plant on in safe sites.
Cultural heritage
Bee Bole conservation project
In earlier times bees were brought to the moors and kept in ‘bee boles’, or recesses, set into specially built stone walls. Glaisdale has one of the country’s most remarkable surviving examples, possibly dating back to the 18th century, and we managed a conservation project that protected these extremely rare structures.
Boltby Scar excavation
To the north of Sutton Bank, the former Iron Age hillfort at Boltby Scar has been the subject of three excavations in recent years. Aided by volunteers, the Landscape Research Centre worked with us to piece together the story of this thousands of years old place.
Lastingham Mill
Dating from the eighteenth century, this important surviving watermill has had extensive work to secure it for the future.
Nelson Gate
This famous and much-loved landmark on the Thirsk to Helmsley road at the southern entrance to Duncombe Park has been conserved.
Old Park Farm gin gang
Gin gangs or horse engine houses were once a common site in the North York Moors. Sadly few remain. An Historic Buildings Grant enabled the farmer to save this important building.
Conservation area projects
Conservation Area Enhancement Grants have supported work to houses in Lythe, Rosedale Abbey, Thornton le Dale and Helmsley, which enabled original features to be restored, so enhancing the character of these pretty villages and market towns.
Helping the local economy
Destination Partnerships Moors and Dales
We secured a £166,000 grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development for 'Destination Partnerships Moors and Dales', a partnership project working with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and Nidderdale and Howardian Hills Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Running for just under two years (until August 2019), the project supported more than 300 businesses with an aim to boost rural tourism.
North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER Programme
The North York Moors National Park Authority, in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, has managed and delivered two consecutive LEADER Programmes from
Each Programme has been different in its focus and priorities. The first programme, from
Coastal Communities Funded Project: Moor to Sea
On behalf of the North York Moors Rural Coastal Community Team, we secured a £275,000 grant from the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) for the 'Moor to Sea: new activities and niches on the North York Moors Coast’ project. Running for just under two years (May 2017 to March 2019), the project aimed to support at least 140 businesses and create 105 indirect jobs along the coastline between Saltburn and Cloughton.
Coastal Communities Funded Project: Sea Life, See Life
The North York Moors National Park Authority secured £455,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund for the 'Sea Life, See Life' project to showcase the natural, fishing, artistic and culinary heritage of villages between Saltburn and Cloughton, such as Robin Hood's Bay, Staithes and Runswick Bay. Thanks to the funding, various activities were delivered to attract new, more affluent visitors who want to learn and do something different, and to encourage more visitors to stay longer and spend more. The project ran from April 2015 until December 2016.
Encouraging understanding and promoting access
Community access project
We worked with local communities to help them improve paths within and between communities. Local people also gained the skills needed to care for the paths in the future.
Lime and Ice
Events, working with schools, and volunteer experiences were all ways the Lime & Ice project sought to enhance understanding about the distinctive landscape heritage of the south-west corner of the National Park and the adjoining northern Howardian Hills AONB. This HLF funded partnership project finished summer 2013.