Site Details
Address
Sutton Bank, Low Town Bank Road, Nr Kilburn, Thirsk, North Yorkshire

Grid Reference
451653 - 481766

Local authority
Hambleton DC

Sport England region
Yorkshire

Competitions and events
The site has held international or national competitions or events and is sustainable because the location provides the support and facilities necessary for that level of competition.

• Northern Regionals July/August 2000.
• No competitions in 2001 due to Foot & Mouth restrictions

Training
The site has held national team or individual or group elite training for that sport or any of its disciplines, and is sustainable because the location provides the support and facilities necessary for that level of training.

• Excellent training facilities - clubhouse/catering and on-site accommodation.
• Professional staff provide weekly courses.

Scarcity
The site is important because of its scarcity or uniqueness value and because it cannot be re-created at a different location.

• Exceptional ridge soaring on Hambleton Hill
• Mountain lee waves from Penhenet in westerly winds.

Heritage
A heritiage site is one which has been used continually or a for a long time by that sport and which cannot be recreated in a different location.

• Established 1932 and recognised as a major gliding site due to location and facilities.

Number of users
The site is important because of the numbers of people using it from any level of that sport

• Home of Yorkshire Gliding Club (262 members)
• 700 temporary members inc visitors from other BGA clubs
• Good access/participation in weekly courses.

Facilities strategy
The site has been identified as of international or national importance in that sport’s strategic planning documents.

• BGA Strategic Plan and Sports Development Plan 2001 - 2006.

Physical characteristics
Identification of those characteristics, which if lost, would jeopardise the quality of the site.

• Exceptional site - located at the top of the steep scarp of the Hambleton Hills
• Sutton Bank provides superb ridge soaring in prevailing westerlies with access to mountain lee waves to 7,200 ft
• Large field with good car parking
  

Addtional Information

• Excellent location for cross-country gliding with reliable soaring conditions & few controlled airspace restrictions.
• Clubhouse/accommodation & catering on-site plus large field and good car parking.