'Awful eyesore' - litter dumped at Highcliff Nab, in North Yorkshire

Janet Gleeson was walking with a group of friends at Highcliff Nab, above Great Ayton and Guisborough, on Thursday, July 30, when they came across the scene at around 1pm.

The viewpoint lies within the North York Moors National Park and offers views across the edge of the moors towards the coast. It is also crossed by the Cleveland Way National Trail.

Janet said the group had stopped at the Nab for lunch when they discovered two tents near the path, with rubbish scattered around them.

Some of the bottles and litter left at Highcliff Nab in the North York Moors (Image: SUBMITTED)

She said: “We were really shocked. Sandwich cartons and plastic bottles were strewn around, along with a smashed bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale.

“We had stopped for lunch at the Nab, expecting to be surrounded by lovely views and not a load of rubbish.

“To see this kind of awful eyesore in the heart of one of the most glorious areas of the North was really disturbing. The fire, in the current climate, also has to be dangerous.”

After hearing voices inside one of the tents, Janet said she spoke aloud about the condition in which the area had been left and explained that she intended to report it to the North York Moors National Park Authority.

According to Janet, a man inside the tent asked whether she was speaking to them before saying the rubbish did not belong to them and had already been there when they arrived.

Janet said the man told her they had bags and intended to remove the rubbish when they left.

She added: “I said that would be a nice thing to do. We left not long afterwards, so I have no idea whether they cleared it up.”

The tent and litter at Highcliff Nab in the North York Moors (Image: SUBMITTED)

However, she said the amount of rubbish and the evidence of a campfire were particularly concerning because the surrounding landscape was extremely dry, due to the warm weather.

The National Park Authority warns visitors that campfires can cause serious damage and encourages people not to light fires anywhere in the park.

Janet added: “I have been walking around the Moors and Dales for years and have never seen this kind of rubbish, or indeed tents, in the many beauty spots I have visited.

“It is so sad to see a pristine area ruined by litter. Afterwards, thinking about the fire, it was even more concerning. The area is tinder dry and you would think everyone would be aware of the potential risks.”

She said the rubbish was also witnessed by a group of young walkers from Venice who were completing part of the Cleveland Way.

Janet added: “For them to see a load of rubbish in the middle of our glorious countryside was extremely disturbing.

“One of the walkers with us had been on this path only four days earlier and there had been no litter, rubbish or tents there then.

“This cannot be allowed in the National Park, or indeed any of our wonderful rural areas. The most important thing is to make sure this is not being repeated in other parts of our fabulous national parks.”

Joel Brookfield, director of recreation and wellbeing for the North York Moors National Park Authority called the rubbish "extremely disappointing".

He added: “Fly camping - camping without landowner permission and leaving behind the impacts of your visit - is illegal, but the reported fire is particularly concerning.

"Wildfires are almost always caused by human actions and in dry conditions even a small fire can spread rapidly, putting wildlife, habitats, local communities and our Fire and Rescue Service at risk.

"Discarded items such as glass bottles and reflective litter can also cause accidental ignition, as well as risking harm and spoiling the environment for others.

“We urge visitors to enjoy the National Park responsibly: take your rubbish home, don’t drop cigarette ends and never light fires or use disposable barbecues.

"By following our Share with Care principles, everyone can help protect this special landscape for others to enjoy.”