Cattersty Gill

Cattersty Gill sits in a secluded valley perched high on the cliffs above Skinningrove. The nature reserve protects wildflower-rich grassland and offers a landfall for migrant birds which stop to rest and refuel among its hawthorn bushes.

Location

Cattersty Gill

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Know before you go

Entry fee

Free

Parking information

FREE parking is available at Skinningrove near Cattersty Sands (turn left at the intersection of Cliff Terrace and Marine Terrace, the car park is right on the coast).

Access

From the A174 follow signs for Skinningrove. Drive through Skinningrove, at the main square turn left down Cliff Terrace, follow this to the seafront car park. From the car park walk along the Cleveland Way leading to the west, go over the old jetty and onto Cattersty beach. Continue through the dunes following the footpath, and up the cliff. At the top of the cliff follow signs for the reserve.

Paths are all unsurfaced, uneven and on sloping ground. The site is fairly free draining and benefits from not getting too muddy after rain.

The reserve itself is fairly steeply sloped, though it can be enjoyed from the path at the top without even having to enter the reserve. As the reserve is situated at the top of the headland, most visitors will have to navigate steep slopes / steps to get there.

Dogs

On a lead

There are no dog waste bins on the reserve. KEEP DOGS ON A LEAD – CLEAR UP AFTER YOUR ANIMALS – DON’T DISTURB THE WILDLIFE. Thank you!

When to visit

Opening times

Always open.

Best time to visit

Anytime.

About the reserve

This little valley was once used as a tip for slag waste from a nearby iron works. After some initial reclamation in the 1970’s, natural re-colonisation resulted in a community of plants which can tolerate the lime-rich soil conditions. Each spring and summer the grassland is filled with the colour and scent of kidney vetch, pyramidal and common-spotted orchid, centaury and yellow wort.

The western side of the reserve has a dense covering of hawthorn scrub and this provides food and shelter for migrating birds making their first landfall after crossing the North Sea.

The nature reserve lies to the north west of Skinningrove, just inland from Cattersty Sands. It offers an interesting diversion from the Cleveland Way, and is particularly enjoyable for walkers seeking shelter from an offshore wind.