A Short Walk Along The Cleveland Way

During a visit to family in County Durham last week we took a walk along a short coastal section of the Cleveland Way. 

The reason for such a trip across from Consett to the north east coast near Middlesbrough (a location apparently considered for the opening sequence of the Ridley Scott film - Blade Runner, but in the end a scaled down model allegedly inspired by views of Wilton Chemical Plant on Teeside were used instead) was to visit a project my brother has been heavily involved with.

A few miles south of the industrial metropolis, driving out of Skinningrove you find yourself in open countryside on winding roads rising and falling with the undulations of the landscape building anticipation in the cliffs away to one side of the road flanked with dry stone walls and open, flowering meadows.

This is the location of the Street House Anglo-Saxon cemetery, a sight in which the grave of a princess or high status stone age female was discovered with many priceless grave goods. My brother was responsible for a multimedia experience and exhibition about the archaeological excavations on the site at the nearby Kirkleatham Old Hall Museum. A visit to the museum gave me the opportunity to see the finds and experience my brother's work and a walk to the dig site would incorporate the cliff top path taking in the stunning views. In one direction the beautiful cliffs dotted with fishing villages shrouded in sea mist, and in the other the contrasting industrial coast of Middlesbrough, which may be an eyesore for some but for me is as interesting as looking south. An excursion closer to the factory sites is definitely on the cards next time I'm in the north east.  

The area we visited has produced wide ranging evidence of civilisation going as far back as 3300BC and as we walked we picked up pieces of pot and tile which my brother has asked  Steve Sherlock to date for us.

As well as the Anglo-Saxon cemetery, the remains of a Roman villa and various burial mounds were found close by.

Six Spotted Barnet Moth

Red Soldier Beetles caught fertilising while fertilising. Also known as the 'Bloodsucker' because of its colour. Completely harmless.