The Landscape of York

York is in the centre of the Vale of York. Immediately to the North, South, East and West of York are very flat, very arable lands. Like a golf hole surrounded by bunkers, York itself is surrounded by a number of ridges of small hills called a Terminal Moraine The quality of the soil is as a direct consequence of the ice age, where glacial deposits made the soil very fertile. The ice age was also responsible for the creation of the Terminal Moraines.

The map below shows a number of Terminal Moraines around York. The most interesting one for this study is the Terminal Moraine that follows the route South West from York along the A64/Tadcaster Road and stretches as far as Bilborough. Motorists will be unaware of these small hills as they have gentle gradients and are only 20 to 25 metres high. However unfit cyclists like myself are very aware of these hills.

Views from the Terminal Moraine

The Terminal Moraine is a ridge of hills that can offer views on both sides. A good example of this is the roundabout between the A1237 and A64 (which was built on the Terminal Moraine) just North West of Copmanthorpe. The picture below shows the view facing North East towards the city of York. The York Minster can be seen on the horizon (on the left-hand side). The high quality of the soil and the flatness of the earth means that this soil is turned over to arable land with only a few trees marking the edges of the fields. Keen eyed viewers will also recognise the A1237 near the top right-hand side of the picture.

Facing South on the junction of the A1237 and A64 roundabout, on a clear day, you get the majestic monstrosities of Drax, Eggborough and Ferrybridge Power Station marking the heart of the Yorkshire coalfield.

The Rivers of York

The other major feature of the natural landscape is the two rivers, the river Ouse and the river Foss which meet at York. This not only provides a vital ingredient for the sustenance of life but is also a very vital transport route. The rivers played a major role in the success of York up to the Middle Ages. The Romans and Vikings both believed that river transport was quicker and safer than road transport - hence the emergence of major cities on rivers.