Young Ralph, Blakey, Coast to Coast
Historical and Educational Articles for Lion Inn to Grosmont
Looking at Young Ralph Cross from the north
Young Ralph Cross, Blakey Ridge, Coast to Coast
Young Ralph Cross stands tall on Ledging Hill, on the west side of the road from Westerdale to the Lion Inn. It is very close to the junction of the road from Castleton, Rosedale and Westerdale and is only 200m from White Cross. Old Ralph Cross is located about 100m west south west and further into the moorland. Rosedale Head is less than 100m south east, just beyond the Rosedale Road.
The Cross is a Scheduled Monument with Historic England and has a Grade II Listing. It has twice been broken, once in 1984 and again in 1990, but has since been repaired and remains in its previous position. It is near to the summit of Ledging Hill which is 429m. Young Ralph has a cross base and a long upright shaft with an integral head. It is made of fine gritstone. It stands at 2.4m high.
Young Ralph is a Wayside Cross and doubles up as a Boundary Stone, marking the boundary of the Wapentake of Pickering Lyth, which is a sub-division of the North Riding of Yorkshire.
Young Ralph Cross
Young Ralph Cross is also known simply as Ralph Cross. The Cross should not be mistaken for the Old Ralph Cross, which is 100m away. Young Ralph Cross has been adopted as the symboi of the North York Moors National Park, being centrally located with the NYMs. The view is of the south side of the Cross.
Ralph Cross
Young Ralph Cross is about 10 feet tall and is prominent in its setting due not only to its size but also its position on the roadside near the top of Ledging Hill. As with the nearby White Cross, offerings are often left for weary or poor travellers. The Margery Bradley Stone is only 250m further south and that was historically a meeting point for beggars seeking alms. The view is of the North side of the Cross.
Take the Coast to Coast Guide With You
Available on Apple Books — £12.99
Hiking the Coast to Coast combines step-by-step route directions, interactive mapping, hundreds of original photographs and information about the landscapes, history and places encountered along the route.
© 2026 Roy McKee · Coast to Coast
Contact - Privacy. - Terms