Corn Hill Point above Levisham, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, within the North York Moors National Park.
Skelton Tower
Tower
Place photograph
6.3
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.3A small sandstone shooting lodge ruin stands high above Newtondale, where the moorland setting and the view down the railway-lined valley are as much a part of the visit as the tower itself.
Skelton Tower combines a tangible piece of local history with a hilltop position above Newtondale. Its appeal is the walk across open moorland and the changing view over the valley, not a long list of facilities or attractions.
Atmospheric · Wild · Secluded
Find your way
Open mapCorn Hill Point above Levisham, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, within the North York Moors National Park.
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Visit the tower as part of a moorland walk from Levisham. The reward is the combination of the ruin, its position on Corn Hill Point and the broad view across Newtondale. Access to the structure itself is not confirmed.
Things to do
Walk from Levisham to the tower
Reach Skelton Tower by moorland paths from Levisham. Confirm the route, access and ground conditions before setting out.
Take in the view over Newtondale
The tower stands above Newtondale and overlooks the valley and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Visibility depends on weather and conditions.
Look closely at the ruined tower
From a safe position, notice the square sandstone structure and Gothic-style windows described in the supplied source. Entry to the ruin is not confirmed.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Quick Escape: the tower and its valley view
- 01
Start from Levisham and follow a moorland path towards Skelton Tower.
- 02
View the ruin from a safe position; do not assume it is open to enter.
- 03
Pause at the tower to look across Newtondale, then return by your chosen route.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: explore the Levisham moorland
- 01
Begin in Levisham and walk across the moorland towards Skelton Tower.
- 02
Spend time around the tower’s setting and look down into Newtondale.
- 03
Continue only if you have a verified route and suitable conditions; otherwise retrace your steps.
Verified history
Skelton Tower is described as an early 19th-century, two-storey shooting lodge built for the Reverend Robert Skelton. A second supplied source gives 1830 as its construction date and identifies Skelton as rector of Levisham. The surviving structure is a sandstone ruin; the supplied attraction description says it is Grade II listed.
Hidden details
Gothic-style windows in a small shooting lodge — The ruin is described as having Gothic-style windows, a detail to look for when viewing the tower from a safe position. Do not enter unless access and structural safety are confirmed.
The railway in the valley — The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs through Newtondale below the tower. A train may be visible from the viewpoint, but its appearance depends on service times and visibility.
When to go
· Choose a clear day; no specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The tower’s main draw includes views across Newtondale, so clear visibility matters. The supplied sources do not establish a best month or season.
Check the forecast and path conditions before crossing exposed moorland. Visibility can affect the valley views. The sources do not provide specific weather or safety guidance.
The route
- surface
- Moorland paths are mentioned; specific surface details are not provided.
- start point
- Levisham is described as an approach point.
- Skelton Tower, a ruined shooting lodge
- Views over Newtondale
- The North Yorkshire Moors Railway in the valley
What to look for
- 01
Look for the tower’s square sandstone form and Gothic-style windows, then take in its elevated position above Newtondale. From the viewpoint, look for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in the valley
- 02
a passing train is an occasional sight, not a guaranteed event.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
Clear, settled weather is best for the open views. Check conditions before walking; exposed moorland can feel very different in poor weather.
Choose a clear day for the view over Newtondale. No more precise seasonal or time-of-day guidance is supported by the supplied sources.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Practical information
Opening & access
The tower is described as reachable by moorland paths from Levisham. The supplied Google record says “closed permanently”, but does not clarify whether this refers to the listing or access to the site. Check current access and path conditions before setting out; do not assume the ruin is safe or open to enter. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
No parking information is provided. Check before visiting.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The approach is described as a moorland-path walk from Levisham. Surface, gradients, route condition and step-free access are not confirmed; check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Skelton Tower
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
