Grid Reference NZ 690 127
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 94
Forwarded as RIGS 30/09/2003
View of Freebrough Hill from the lay-by on the A171.
Site Description
Site Status
Description of Geodiversity: An outlier of nearby Moorsholm Rigg to the south with its summit reaching to 250m above sea level and 50m above the surrounding moorland. Freebrough Hill is a natural landform sculpted by glacial ice between c.120,000 and 20,000 years ago during the last (Devensian) glaciation. The outlier comprises Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Scalby Formation deltaic deposits at its base, around c. 5m of the (Callovian) Cornbrash intervenes, and is succeeded by up to 7m of Osgodby Formation sandstones which cap the hill. The country rock is obscured by glacial deposits in the form of both till (boulder clay) and sand. The locality also has a wealth of well-marked glacial meltwater chanels running W-E across and around Moorsholm Rigg which together constitute evidence of glacial retreat at a point close to Devensian ice’s maximum extent.
PLEASE NOTE: There is NO access to this site without landowner permission.
This said, the hill can be viewed from several points in the locality including the lay-by at NZ 68355 13182 (see image above). The moorland around Moorsholm Rigg south of the hill is open access and good views can be had from here.
Literature References
Wishart, D. Date Unknown; An Interpretation of the Geomorphology of Freebrough Hill. University of Durham.
Barrow, G. 1888; The Geology of North Cleveland: Memoirs of the Geological Survey. HMSO, London. 101p
Ord, J.W. 1846; The History & Antiquities of Cleveland: Comprising The Wapentake Of East And West Langbargh, North Riding, County York. Publisher Unknown.
Smith Fletcher, J. 1901; Picturesque history of Yorkshire: Being an account of the history, topography, antiquities, industries, and modern life of the cities, towns, and villages of the county of York, founded on personal observations made during many journeys through the three ridings, Volume 3. Caxton.
Murray, J. 1882; Handbook for travellers in Yorkshire. J. Murray.
Atkinson, Rev. J.C. Date Unknown; The Last of the Giant Killers: Or, the Exploits of Sir Jack of Danby Dale. Publisher Unknown.
Knox, R. 2009; Descriptions, geological, topographical, and antiquarian in Eastern Yorkshire, Between the Rivers Humber and Tees. Publisher Unknown.
Site Map
Site Assessment
| Access and Safety | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Safety of access | Park in lay-by at NZ 68355 13182 | 8 |
| Safety of exposure | N/A | - |
| Restricting conditions | Private Land. |
- |
| Multiple exposure | None. | - |
| Note | It is strongly suggested that on-site safety be the responsibility of the party leader(s), as the safety information above is given only as a guide. | - |
| Education and Science | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Surface processes | Solifluction terraces on slopes. | 10 |
| Geomorphology | Glacially derived outlier accompanied by well-marked glacial meltwater channelling nearby. | 10 |
| Sedimentary rock | Bathonian Scalby sandstone (deltaic), succeeded by Callovian Cornbrash shale (marine) and Osgodby sandstone (marine). | 7 |
| Igneous rock | None. | - |
| Metamorphic rock | None. | - |
| Fossils | Excellent examples of shell impressions in Osgodby Formation. | 8 |
| Minerals | None specific. | 2 |
| Structural features | Small fault of unknown throw cuts the SW flank though this is obscured by glacial till. | - |
| Stratigraphy | None evident due to glacial till covering. | - |
| Geodiversity Value | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Glacial landforms and processes. | 5 |
| Scientific | Study by Earth scientists. | 8 |
| Historical | The hill is named after the Norse Godess Freya, the Godess of love, beauty, fertility, gold, witchcraft, war and death. It is recorded as being a meeting place for the people of the district, possibly stretching back to Viking days (Barrow, 1888). Archaeological investigations took place in the nineteenth century concluding that the hill is a natural landform. A small quarry has been worked for Osgodby sandstone high on the eastern flank, known to have been abandoned by 1888. Perhaps as an echo of the fact that Freya was the Godess of war, or perhaps accidentally, the hill was used for tank maneouvers during WWII. | 5 |
| Aesthetic | A well-known and enigmaitic local landform. | 10 |
Surveyors
2003: Andrew Carter, John Waring, Andy Cooper.
2010: Andy Cooper, Alan Simkins, Beth Andrews.