Ana Cross

Ana Cross is a stone cross standing on the North York Moors in Yorkshire, England, at the top of the Rosedale Chimney Bank climb on the old moorland route between Lastingham and Rosedale. It is a well-known landmark of this part of the national park and a protected archaeological site.

What is Ana Cross?

The cross rises from a round barrow, a prehistoric burial mound dating from the Late Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age. The cross itself is a later replacement for a medieval wayside cross. It was once known as Ain Cross or One Howe Cross. The original medieval cross was moved into the crypt of St Mary's Church in Lastingham, where its remains can still be seen. Sources disagree on when the present cross was erected (some say the 19th century, others 1949), so it is best described simply as a modern stand-in for the old marker.

The cross is roughly 3 metres tall, with the head cut from a separate block of stone. It toppled in the winter of 1995 and was repaired and re-erected in the summer of 1998.

Why is it here?

The cross marked a medieval track across the moors linking Lastingham with Rosedale Priory. On treeless ground, and especially in fog, travellers, monks and traders needed fixed points to stay on course. The site therefore combines a prehistoric monument with medieval route-finding.

It was first scheduled in 1967 (Historic England list entry 1018976, "Ana Cross round barrow and wayside cross"), and the entry was last amended in 2000. The cross also appears among the listed structures of Lastingham parish.

What will you see?

• the cross itself on a low rise, visible from far away against the sky,
• wide views over the heather moorland, at their best in August and September when the heather blooms,
• the remains of the Bank Top Kilns less than a mile away, tied to the 19th-century ironstone mining boom in Rosedale,
• traces of the old industrial landscape along the road and paths.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

The easiest approach is by car or bike up the road from Rosedale Abbey over Chimney Bank, one of the steepest climbs in the region. At the top there is open moorland with a short path to the cross. The site is open all year and free. The ground is exposed, so bring a warm layer and a waterproof even in summer, and expect icy conditions on the road in winter.

The cross is a regular waypoint on walking loops linking Lastingham, Rosedale and the surrounding moors. A full-day route ending in Lastingham lets you visit the church crypt too.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ana Cross the original medieval cross?

No. The original was moved to the crypt of the church in Lastingham, and a later replacement stands on the hill.

Is there an entry fee?

No. The cross stands on open moorland and can be visited free at any time of year.

Is the site protected?

Yes. Ana Cross and the barrow beneath it are a Scheduled Monument. Do not climb on the stonework or move any stones.

When is the best time to visit?

Late summer, when the moors turn purple, or a clear day out of season when visibility is best and crowds are thin.