Reflections on the River Derwent, Forge Valley, North Yorkshire

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The Derwent is a river in Yorkshire in the north of England. It flows from Fylingdales Moor in the North York Moors National Park, then southwards as far as its confluence with the River Hertford then westwards through the Vale of Pickering, south through Kirkham Gorge and the Vale of York, joining the River Ouse at Barmby on the Marsh. The confluence is unusual in that the Derwent converges on the Ouse at a shallow angle in an upstream direction.

The area around the river is primarily rural in nature with grazing moorland in the upland areas and a variety of agricultural uses at lower levels. There are large areas of designated conservation sites throughout the area.

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 area is now covered with woodlands which are thought to be 6000 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.