Roseberry Topping is a large hill found near Stokesley in the North York Moors National Park. The hill stands at 1049 feet and was thought to be the highest in the park, although this has now been disproved.

People are thought to have started setting around Roseberry Topping in the Bronze Age. Archaeologists have found a horde dated from the Bronze Age on the side of the hill, which is now being held at Sheffield City Museum.

Evidence of an Iron Age settlement has been around the area of Roseberry Topping. The walled enclosures and huts can all be seen on the ground today. It is obvious that the hill was important to the people living around the area, with it dominating their skyline.

When the Vikings settled in Cleveland they held the hill in high regard and gave it the name we know today. The name Roseberry Topping has been deviated from the original Viking name, which is thought to have been Óðins bjarg toppen meaning The hill of Odin’s Rock or Crag. Over the years the name was deviated to the name we see today.

Until the 1700s Roseberry Topping was a important place to the people of the area. Many visitors were drawn to the fantastic views across the countryside and it was said that the summit was “the most delightful prospect upon the valleys below to the hills above”.

By 1892, an English folk rhyme was recording referring to the hill.

When Roseberry Topping wears a cap, let Cleveland then beware of a clap!

Helping the people of Cleveland know what weather was on the approach!