Distant East Ayton over the Derwent - Forge Valley

The view is over the river Derwent towards the village of East Ayton at the southern end of the vallely. The woods on both sides continue along the full length of the valley.

Forge Valley is a National Nature Reserve in the Scarborough district of North Yorkshire, England, located within the North York Moors National Park on the East Ayton / Hackness road. The valley follows the route of the River Derwent and was formed by melting ice water at the end of the last ice age. The NNR at Forge Valley covers over 63 hectares (160 acres).

The area is now covered with woodlands which are thought to be 6,000 years old. Forge Valley takes its name from the charcoal that was made in these woods for iron forges. There was a foundry to the north of the valley in 1798.

The field on the other side of the river is normally occupied by sheep or cattle in the spring and summer. At times of high water it acts as a flood plain when the water bursts the banks of the river, as was the case a few weeks ago.