Roseberry Topping (2026)

Original media: inks, acrylics, gouache, watercolour, pencils, gold thread and gold leaf.

The Cleveland Way is one of the shorter national trails, beginning in Helmsley in North Yorkshire. The path takes you to the coast at Saltburn by the Sea, and then all along the coastal path to Filey Brigg. In May 2025 I ran the whole path over the course of a week. I was on my own for most of it, then joined by my best running friends at Whitby for the last couple of days. I carried a little running pack with everything I needed for the week on my back (I wasn’t camping!) and the smallest drawing kit in a pouch on my front. I stopped to draw whenever inspiration struck. I took photographs too, but mostly the paintings are based on the sketches.

This was at the end of my third day having yomped accross the blackened Moors into Kildale. Roseberry Topping was almost always in sight but didn't seem to be getting any closer.
It's such a landmark but I've never properly visited before. I'm not very good on heights so I preferred looking at it to climbing up it. I’m sure the views from the top are lovely – for those brave enough to look. I came down again like an undignified crab.

Available as a signed limited edition print, hand-finished with gold leaf and gold thread. All prints are mounted and can be posted, unless purchased framed.