Sutton Bank

Sutton Bank is a hill in the former Hambleton District of the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire in England. It is a high point on the Hambleton Hills with extensive views over the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray.

The A170 road runs down the bank with a maximum gradient of 1 in 4 (25%), and including a hairpin bend. Vehicles have to keep in low gear whilst travelling up or down the bank, and caravans are banned.

At the foot of Sutton Bank lies the village of Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe.



History
Just to the south of Sutton Bank is Roulston Scar, a massive hillfort built in the Iron Age, around 400 BC.

It was the approximate location of the Battle of Old Byland in which the Scots won a major victory over the English on 14 October 1322. King Robert the Bruce had made a forced march with his army in an attempt to surprise the English army which was retreating from a failed invasion of Scotland. John of Brittany, Earl of Richmond held the heights of Sutton Bank while King Edward II with his Queen had withdrawn to Rievaulx Abbey about 25 km to the south-east. The Scots fought their way up the steep hillside to totally defeat the Earl whom they took prisoner. King Edward fled ahead of Sir Walter Stewart's forces leaving behind in the Abbey the Great Seal of England and much treasure.

In 1981, an unidentified body was found at Sutton Bank which became known as the Nude in the Nettles.

In 2016, Sutton Bank was included on the route of the third stage of the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race.

Recreation
The Yorkshire Gliding Club is based at the top of the hill. Sutton Bank bank faces the prevailing westerly winds and has been used for ridge soaring since the early 1930s.

Sutton Bank National Park Centre's exhibition explains how the distinctive landscape was formed by glaciers and provides views of Roulston Scar, Hood Hill, and Gormire Lake. There is a bike skills area and cycle shop.

There are footpaths close by, including southwards to the White Horse of Kilburn. The 110 mi long Cleveland Way National Trail crosses over Sutton Bank.

The North York Moors National Park Authority has developed cycle trails from the visitor centre.

Sutton Bank is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, one of three in the North York Moors.