Great Ayton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Ayton |
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 Footbridge over the River Leven in Low Green |
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 Great Ayton
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| Population | 4,629 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | NZ565115 |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Middlesbrough |
| Postcode district | TS9 |
| Dialling code | 01642 |
| Police | North Yorkshire |
| Fire | North Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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Great Ayton is a village and civil parish in the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire, England, on the edge of the North York Moors. According to the 2011 Census, it has a population of 4,629.
It lies less than 3 miles (4.8 km) south-east of the southern edge of Middlesbrough (7 miles (11.3 km) from its centre) and 3 miles (4.8 km) north-east of Stokesley.
Etymology
Great Ayton's name derives from Old English Ea-tun, meaning 'river farm'. The river flowing through Great Ayton is the Leven, a tributary of the river Tees. A later addition of the word 'great' differentiates the village from nearby Little Ayton.
History
In the 18th and 19th centuries Great Ayton was a centre for the industries of weaving, tanning, brewing, and tile making. Subsequently, whinstone for road surfacing was also quarried from the Cleveland Dyke along with ironstone, jet and alum from the Cleveland Hills.
Great Ayton was home to the Great Ayton Friends' School (Quaker) from 1841 until it closed in 1997. The village serves as the base for Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team.
Geography
Great Ayton is at the foot of the Cleveland Hills beneath Easby Moor and the distinctively-shaped Roseberry Topping. The River Leven, a tributary of the River Tees, flows through the village and links its two centres, High Green and Low Green. The Cleveland Dyke, a narrow band of hard whinstone rock that runs for about 31 miles between Robin Hood's Bay and Eaglescliffe lies to the north-east of the village.
Governance
An electoral ward of the same name exists. This ward stretches east to Kildale with a population taken at the 2011 census of 4,973.
Religion
The parish church of Christ Church was built in 1876 and now designated a Grade II listed building. It holds a number of services during the day that attract a total attendance of about 200. In the summer months, the evening service takes place in All Saints' Church, the former parish church, which dates back to the 12th century. The church has an organ built by James Jepson Binns. There is also a Methodist Church, Catholic and Religious Society of Friends in the village. James Cook's mother and siblings are buried in the churchyard of All Saints' Church.
Transport
The village is served by Great Ayton railway station on the Esk Valley Line.
Landmarks
The village landmarks below all relate to James Cook.
- A granite obelisk now marks the original site of the Cook family cottage in Great Ayton. The obelisk is constructed from granite taken from Point Hicks, the first land sighted by Cook in Australia.
- The Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum is within a former charity school, founded in 1704 by landowner Michael Postgate. James Cook received his early education here from 1736 to 1740.
- Unveiled on 12 May 1997 on High Green is a statue depicting James Cook at the age of 16 looking towards Staithes where, according to tradition, he first felt the lure of the sea. This was commissioned by Hambleton District Council and is the work of sculptor Nicholas Dimbleby.
See also
In Spanish: Great Ayton para niños
