North York Moors CAM

The Crosses of the North York Moors

Young Ralph's Cross

(Grid Ref: 677 022)

. . .

Young Ralph (looking north)................................................Young Ralph (looking south-east)

Young Ralph stands tall at a junction of roads near Rosedale Head. It has been well known since 1974
as being the symbol of the North York Moors National Park

It dates back to 1200AD but the present cross is probably 18th Century - before then there are records showing it was
made of wood at some time. The present stone cross has had to be repaired several times

One tale tells of a poor traveller who died from exhaustion entirely penniless. He was found by a
local farmer from Danby called Ralph who decided to erect a cross at the place he found him as a guide for future travellers

By tradition there are often a few coins to be found on top of the cross as well as on many others on the moors

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