High Bridestones, Sneaton Low Moor
More Articles in the Grosmont to Robin Hood's Bay subsection
One of the High Bridestones on Sleights Moor
High Bridestones, Sleights Moor, Coast to Coast
The High Bridestones are found on the Coast to Coast path on Sleights Moor, two miles east of Grosmont. They are easily visible from the path, about 200 yards farther up from the Low Bride Stones. The stones date from the Bronze Age. Many have now fallen, but there are still several standing proud above the heath. They are thought to have once formed two separate "four-poster" stone circles. The Coast to Coast path crosses over Sleights Moor from west to south east. A path leads from the Coast to Coast path directly to the High Bridestones. The two Flat howe burial cairns are about 1/2 mile further east. Grosmont is about 3 miles to the west. The High Bridestones are a Scheduled Monument.
This part of Sleights Moor is a limestone pavement. The stones stand much higher than the Low Bridestones, as their name implies. The term Bridestones has its origin with a Celtic tribe that settled during the Iron Age between the River Humber and the River Tyne and who were the most powerful Celtic Tribe in the country by 43 AD when the Romans invaded Britain.. Their territory included Sleights Moor. The Celtic goddess was Brigantia and the Celtic Tribe was called Brigantes. Bridestones is a corruption of Brigantes.
High Bridestones
The High Bridestones originate from the Bronze Age and are thought to have originally been laid in two four-poster outlines. In any event the High Bridestones are divided into two distinct sections. Many of them have now fallen. The ground beneath them, althoujgh covered in heather, is a limestone pavement, and accordingly care must be taken when walking between them.
Largest Standing High Bridestone
This part of Sleights Moor rises to 274m and is very exposed, hence the intense weathering found on the stones.
Recumbent High Bridestone
The Bridestone shown in this image is the largest of all the Bridestones but unfortunately it now lies flat in the heather. There are many other recumbent Brdestones laying in the heather.
Row of High Bridestones
Some of the Stones in this Row are recumbent. There are many areas where a large number of the Stones line up to form a linear row. Such rows usually include standing and recumbent Stones.
Limestone Pavement
The ground all around the High Bridestones shows parts of a limestone pavement between clumps of heather.
British Soldier Lichen
The moorland heather around the High Bridestones is populated with large clumps of scarlet flowering Britisih Soldier Lichen. The flowers grow up to about 1 inch tall
British Soldier Lichen
Despite the fact that British Soldier Lichen is indiginous to North America this scarlet flowering lichen would certainly seem to be the same. It grows in small clumps all over the limestone pavement housing the High Bridestones on Sleights Moor.
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