Introducing Bilsdale

Bilsdale is a beautiful dale within the North York Moors National Park. It is located in the western part of the moors between Clay Bank and Newgate Bank. The nearest market towns are Stokesley (7 miles to the North) and Helmsley (17 miles to the south). Chop Gate is the main village with Seave Green nearby. The ancient hamlet of Urra is located on the old road through the dale. Fangdale Beck lies 5 miles south of Chop Gate.  Raisdale and Tripsdale are two smaller side valleys.

The scenery along the dale is outstanding, framed by the moors with a traditional farming landscape - fields with boundaries marked by dry stone walls, farm houses and agricultural buildings constructed in local sandstone with clay pantile roofs.  The River Seph collects water from the surrounding moorscc and flows southwards through the dale to join the River Rye.

The area has a rich heritage reflecting man's influence on the landscape over the past 10,000 years.  It is this heritage which we explore and seek to share with you. Perhaps it will encourage you to visit the area and experience the beauty of the dale for yourself.

Initially this web site was based on the "Bygones of Bilsdale" exhibition at St Hilda's church in 2010 and information in the book "Bygone Bilsdale", published by the Bilsdale Study Group in 1992. We are progressively adding more information. If you have any old photographs or other information about the people, places or past events within the dale we would be delighted to hear from you. If you would like to become involved in developing the site, please let us know.

If you have any comments, queries or suggestions please contact us

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