Intersting facts about Goathland


In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Goathland like this:

GOATHLAND, or Goatland, a chapelry in Pickering parish, N. R. Yorkshire; in Pickering forest, on the York and Whitby railway, 9 miles SW of Whitby. It has a station on the railway; and its post town is Grossmont, under York. Acres, 10, 055. Real property, £1, 363. Pop., 518. Houses, 108. The surface is mainly moor; but includes the vale of Goathland, with some charming scenery, and several pretty cascades. The site of an ancient British village is at Killing Pits. Hawks of extraordinary size anciently frequented the moors, and still are occasionally seen; and they were anciently in special request for the king's use. The living is a p. curacy in the diocese of York. Value, £58. Patron, the Archbishop of York. The church is modern.