Highcliff

Has been described as a Questionable Pele Tower

There are no visible remains

NameHighcliff
Alternative NamesHighcliffe Nab
Historic CountryYorkshire
Modern AuthorityRedcar & Cleveland
1974 AuthorityCleveland
Civil ParishGuisborough

A camp situated in a fir wood to the east of Highcliffe Nab measured 300 ft on the east side, 86 ft on the west and 150 ft on the north side. The south slope was strongest and contained a stone tower 12 ft by 12 ft (Ord). Not an antiquity. This alleged earthwork is situated on relatively steep slope, running south to north, overlooked by the high ground at Potter's Ridge and on the east and in no way can it be deemed defensive. No trace of alleged tower mentioned in Ord. (See NZ 61 SW 15 for associated boundary banks) (Field Investigators Comments–F1 FDC 24-JUN-53). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Ord gives a extended and detailed description of this feature which is not consistent with it being natural so must have been an antiquity of some sort although Ord's interpretation as defensive and as pre-Roman are fanciful in both aspects. Probably agricultural and not as ancient as Ord thought. The 'stone bulwark or tower' was part of a larger feature. The description given by Ord suggests an unmortared feature. Unlikely to have been a medieval dwelling of any type.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNZ614138
Latitude54.5157890319824
Longitude-1.05305004119873
Eastings461400
Northings513800
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Ord, J.W., 1846, The history and antiquities of Cleveland p. 122-3 online copy