The Haggerlythe at Whitby EarthCache

The North Yorkshire coastline between Staithes and Filey is characterised by steep, actively eroding, unstable cliffs that are typically formed from Jurassic aged Shales and Sandstones. This cliff consists of a rock type known as the ‘Whitby Mudstone Formation’.  Large bays and valleys have formed along the coastline as a consequence of prolonged coastal erosion of the weaker geological sequences in these cliffs. The diagram below shows the location of the Whitby Mudstone, you will notice much of Whitby is built on different rock types – this earthcache is looking specifically at the mudstone coastline (shown on the diagram in brown).

Geology diagram of Whitby

You are standing at the Haggerlythe, the large cliff next to you, and up at the top you will find famous landmarks such as St. Mary's Church and Whitby Abbey. The Haggerlythe lies at the eastern end of one of the previously mentioned bays where the River Esk flows through the Whitby outer harbour, and out to sea. The Haggerlythe is an excellent example of the instability of the cliffs in this area. It has suffered from periodic landslides since the Henrietta Street area was developed in 1761.

Until around 2000, the East Pier was linked to where you are stood by the Spa Bridge.
Cliff erosion and collapse made it unsafe and it has now been replaced with a solid causeway.

At the given co-ordinates you will find an information board that gives you some information about a coastal protection scheme that was built here in 2000. It’s not the first defense built at Whitby, and certainly won’t be the last. Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting information.

Why specifically has the cliff been falling down?

• Wave attack causing cliff toe erosion and cliff top recession. This resulted in over-steep coastal slopes and the partial collapse of the old Spa Ladder bridge that linked the East Pier to the Haggerlythe
• Wave reflection off the cliffs causing loss of beach material
• Adverse ground conditions
• Prolonged periods of heavy rain

What are the assessed problems?

• If the cliff changes it may damage the harbour and access to the inner harbour
• Vehicular and pedestrian access
• Property and utility services
• Tourism and recreation amenities

The Haggerlythe during the construction of the new coastal protections.

The authorities realised that there was a significant risk here at Whitby and a solution was put in place in the year 2000 to try and stabilise the coast for at least the next 50 years. These are the four elements you need to refer to when you answer question 1 and question 2. The project included the following elements -

1. Traditional foreshore defences – rock armour, reinforced rockfill buttresses and maintenance access slipways

2. Earthworks to redistribute landslide loading and prevent further landslides

3. Piling works comprising 70 re-enforced concrete bored piles, 10 metres in length. These transfer the load directly through the weak landslide and into solid rock beneath

4. Drainage works comprising deep stone filled counterfort drains and conventional piped and un-piped trench drains to lower ground water at the site

On the 10^th of January 2013 a large landslide took place not too far from where you are standing. A portion of the Haggerlythe fell away directly below St. Mary’s Church, specifically, the ancient church cemetery, leaving the bones of those buried long ago exposed, reported to be falling down into the gardens of properties below. For anyone worried, the bones were recovered and reburied on consecrated ground. The land affected belonged to the church and stabilisation works were their responsibility and not aided by the authorities. The argument of who should be responsible for protecting such places will always exist, and isn't for discussion here. However, you have to question whether you will get the best results if it must be self funded - for example, if the church funded their repairs only from the local parish funds.  At the time, the landslide was been blamed on a drainage pipe which became damaged and fell away. That meant heavy rainfall had saturated the soil excessively, which then simply slipped away. Although the photographs show slippage very close to the church with no obvious evidence of bedrock, it is believed the church itself is built on solid bedrock and therefore is safe (see the first diagram).

After the landslip in 2013, you can see holes extending very close to the church building.

The work following the landslip has seen rock fall netting installed over the outcropping sandstone in the cliff and long soil nails put in place to bolt the soil into the cliff. Drainage tubes have also been installed to channel the ground water away from the edge of the cliff, which it is hoped will prevent further slippages. However the engineers who completed the work warned that these measures could only hope to slow erosion, not prevent it entirely.

Netting was installed across the cliff by April 2013 to 'slow' erosion at the church.


The previous slippage at the church occurred in 2000, with large scale stabilisation work taking place soon after.

Early in 2013 five 140-year old cottages on Aelfleda Terrace, a little further along the Haggerlythe, were demolished after heavy rain caused a gaping hole to emerge at the front of the street. The council made a rapid decision within hours to demolish the houses and residents were given just 30 minutes to clear out their belongings before the buildings were removed.

The site of the former houses following demolition. You can see the landslip in front of the properties.

Please email me the answers to questions 1, 2 and 3

Please include the to answer question 4 in your online log.

I do read all answers and try to reply to them all; I may not reply immediately so please do not wait for a reply before posting your find. Please send your answers at the time you submit your log, or within a few days of your visit. I do check answers have been sent for every log, if you do not send any answers your log may be deleted. If possible, please use the email service rather than the messenger as it is easier to manage due to the volume of messages I receive.

Although it is no longer a requirement, a photograph of yourself at GZ with the cliff or some of the coastal defenses would be both appreciated, and also good additional proof of your visit.

Please note, the information board may give you pointers, but it does not give you any answers and this earthcache can be completed independently without visiting the board.

Question 1 – Coastal Defense Aims

There are three main aims of schemes at the Haggerlythe.

A – Prevent sea erosion causing cliff collapse

B – Prevent landslides due to prolonged rain and flooding

C – Maintain access, pedestrian and emergency, to the East Pier

Above in the ‘Solutions’ paragraph (numbered 1-4) are the four main elements of work that took place in the year 2000. You need to identify the aim of each element – so basically, match the number of each element with a letter above, A, B, or C. An element may support more than one aim, so you may choose more than one letter. Please also include the work that took place at St. Mary's Church in 2013, consider this as element number 5.

(For example, element 1 includes ‘maintenance access slipways’ so it supports aim ‘C’)

Question 2 - Coastal Defenses in Action

Refer again to the four main elements of work that took place in the year 2000, these are listed in the 'Solutions' section of this listing. These are also on the information board. Please take a walk around the immediate area and also walk to the provided waypoint (down at the East Pier below you) and try and identify some of the places where you can see these coastal and cliff defenses now in place. Please include the following information in your answer:

- Describe what defense you found and where you found it (description or co-ordinates or include a photo on your online log)

- What you think the defense is doing and how effective do you think it is being? The information board will help give you an idea of what they are supposed to be doing, please look for evidence that they might be working. Also look for recent landslides etc, evidence they are not working, and if you see any issues, explain what you think the problem may be. (Again, feel free to include photos of landslides or damage to the defenses if observed within your online log)

Question 3 - Identifying the threats

Looking back at the last two questions, we have identified two major threats to the Haggerlythe.

A - Heavy rain and flooding causing cliff collapse

B - Erosion from the sea causing cliff collapse

Which do you think is currently the biggest threat to land and properties on the Haggerlythe at Whitby? Why do you think this is the case?

Question 4 – The Future

Remember, the answer to this question should be included in your online log.

Having read about the type of cliffs here, the forces of nature, the work that has taken place in 2000 and 2013, and the landslips that have occurred in recent years, please include a few words in your log about what you think the future holds for the Haggerlythe. Do you think this area, both cliff and properties, is safe for the next 50 years as authorities hoped? What about after that? Do you have any opinions on what the authorities should do to protect this historic town, or should nature be left to take its natural course?

You may want to read other people’s opinions but please don’t copy them, I hope you can make your own assessment. Be aware this is not a forum for discussion, so please keep to general opinions and do not pass comment on previous logs.

Please enjoy your visit to the Haggerlythe.