Yorkshire Dales & Moors
Danby Beacon
301M
988FT
About Danby Beacon
Commanding wide views over the Esk Valley near Houlsyke, this prominent moorland summit offers a sense of scale far greater than its 301-metre height suggests. Crowned by a distinctive modern beacon, the broad, heathery top provides an exceptional vantage point looking towards the North Sea and the deep troughs of the surrounding dales.
Key Statistics
Rank
19th Highest in Region
Parent Range
England
Prominence
?
68
Nearest Town
Houlsyke
Geology
You are walking over layers of sandstone, siltstone, and limestone. These mixed sedimentary rocks form the rugged and enduring foundation of Danby Beacon.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NZ736092
Latitude
54.4728°N
Longitude
0.8658°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Danby is rooted in Old Norse, combining 'Danir' (Danes) with 'by' (settlement), marking the area as a historical Viking stronghold within Yorkshire.
- •During 1939, Danby Beacon hosted one of the first Chain Home Low radar stations, which successfully tracked a Heinkel He 111—the first enemy aircraft to be shot down over English soil during the Second World War.
- •While a beacon has existed here since the 1600s to warn of French invasion, the current summit feature is a 2008 sculpture topped with a basket that is still lit for significant national celebrations.
- •The summit offers a clear sightline to the prominent peak of Roseberry Topping in the west, while the ruins of Whitby Abbey are often visible on the coast to the east.
- •Being a site chosen specifically for its lack of obstructions, the summit is the perfect place to test the wind-resistance of your waterproofs; if it’s blowing, you’ll know about it before you’ve even left the car.