Manor Vale is extensively used by the local community for quiet recreation and has open public access. It is owned and managed by Kirkbymoorside Town Council.
Manor Vale is a narrow, Y-shaped dry valley cut into the Jurassic strata of the Tabular Hills which form the southern fringe of the North York Moors. It is located at the northern edge of Kirkbymoorside, within easy reach of the town centre.
The limestone slopes of the Vale support semi-natural ash woodland with characteristic plants including field maple, wych elm, dog’s mercury, wood speedwell, wood anemone and primrose. A number of uncommon plants of limestone woodlands occur including green hellebore, toothwort and lily-of-the-valley. Two areas of more acidic woodland featuring species such as oak, rowan, silver birch, bilberry and greater woodrush mark outcrops of sandstone. Small areas of limestone grassland can be found at Low Knoll and along the break of slope at the eastern edge of the site.
The site supports a range of birds characteristic of mature broadleaved woodland including Redstart and Nuthatch. Insects include the very rare flower beetle Oedemera virescens, a species associated with ancient woodland and parkland on the southern fringes of the North York Moors.
The Ryedale Natural History Society, based in Kirkbymoorside, runs field outings through the summer. Details of their findings are available on their website http://www.ryenats.org.uk/
Manor Vale was formerly part of a mediaeval deer park. The remains of a wall and Scheduled Ancient Monument, are located in the south-east corner of the site adjacent to Castlegate Lane.
Manor Vale woodland is run by a management committee, which consists of councillors and members of the public, together with advisors. The Committee meets every 3 months for a site visit and subsequent meeting.
There are information panels providing the history of Manor Vale, its flora fauna and interesting facts, at three sites within Manor Vale. Click here for details.