Village Snippets
We are creating an A-Z snippets of our favourite villages in and around North Yorkshire and the surrounding area. This is ongoing and if you have any villages you would like included, please let us know.
We hope you find this interesting read; we are certainly enjoying putting it together.
Appleton-le-Moors
A few miles north of the A170 Pickering to Helmsley Road. This pretty one street village dates from Norman times and has a very good pub (The Moors Inn), a Victorian ‘French Gothic revival’ church, Village Hall, a beautifully restored Reading room (image shown) and within the catchment area of outstanding schools.
Ampleforth
23 miles north of York, 4 miles south of Helmsley and 15 miles west of Thirsk. A well-equipped village with a shop (+ post office), two primary schools and two churches (both Catholic and COE), two pubs, cafe, surgery, recreational grounds, the St Alban’s Sports Centre (5-minute drive) and previously a monthly food market which we hope will return post COVID. Houses in this village are popular with families and often change hands privately (we are currently handling a private sale in the village ourselves).
Aldborough
Conveniently located for Leeds, Harrogate and York and once one of the most important Roman towns, dating sometime after AD74. Today there is a Museum run by English Heritage, St Andrew’s 14th century Church, a 50ft Maypole standing proud on the village green, The Ship Inn and a tennis club. The renowned Aldborough Festival takes place in June bringing together exceptional musicians. The market town of Boroughbridge is within walking distance and has two schools (primary and secondary), a varied range of essential shops including a good wine merchant(!) and a large supermarket on the outskirts.
Photo by: Nicki @from_yorkshire_and_back
Aysgarth
Situated deep in the Yorkshire Dales (9 miles west of Hawes, 27 miles east of *Northallerton) and surrounded by these beautiful field barns. There are two watering holes (The George & Dragon and the Aysgarth Falls Hotel) a surgery, St Andrew’s Church (Grade II Listed) and an all-important petrol station! The celebrated Aysgarth Falls is a 20-minute walk from the village just over the River Ure. Very popular with those keen on a quiet life and the great outdoors. *Northallerton has a mainline train station.
Aisalby
Within Close proximity to Whitby and Scarborough the popular village of Aislaby sits on the Northern side of the Esk Valley looking towards the North York Moors. There are good local schools in Whitby and private schools in Scarborough (24 miles) and Yarm (34 miles). Local train stations are dotted around the area serviced by Northern Railway and the historic NYMR. There are endless walking and cycling routes across the moors and along the coast, as well as holiday cottages and B&B’s for accommodation. Sounds like a lovely place to get away from it all, don’t you agree?
Bilbrough
A lovely village a stone’s throw from York. Amenities include a great rub-a-dub (The Three Hares), village hall, St James’ Church (shown) and bus service to York and Tadcaster. Spoilt for choice when it comes to schools, first up in the village there is Bilbrough County Classroom (special education), a range of primary and secondary schools nearby and private schools in York and Escrick. A commuter’s dream village with rail and motorway links in close proximity.
Bishop Monkton
This pretty village sits 5 miles south of the Cathedral City of Ripon. The village has an active community life, including the *Bishop Monkton Singing Group, two churches (COE and Methodist), two pubs (although one is currently up for conversion to a residential dwelling … ) a primary school, village hall and playing fields. This image taken by David Armitage shows the famous topiary cockeril (grown and looked after for over 100 years!) and the lovely Beck which is the spine of this, not so sleepy village.
Brandsby
A village full of beautiful homes, a fabulous Church (shown), a splendid village hall, good schools close by and only 25 minutes to the centre of York.
Bulmer
Churches seem to be the common denominator in the village snippets thus far, the beating heart of many a village. Bulmer village used to be home to a pub, blacksmith, shop and agricultural engineering workshop, these are all closed, and the school is now the village hall. Thank goodness for St Martin’s Church, a place to bring the community together and of course, to worship. Luckily just down the road from this pretty village, primary education and village shops can be found in Sheriff Hutton, Welburn and Terrington. There is a good secondary school in Malton (Yorkshire’s Food Capital – Malton) and a range of private schools in York. Bulmer is part of the magnificent Castle Howard estate and within easy reach of the A64.
Carleton in Craven
Heading over to the West Riding today; Carleton-in-Craven is 1.5 miles SW of Skipton and is one of the few villages which still has a Post Office (hurray!) as well as, a pub, village shop, social club, pharmacy, primary school and church. Its landmark Carleton Mill was a working mill up until 1999 (being used in WWII by Rover providing aircraft parts), in 2005 it was converted into luxury apartments. A popular little village with endless cycling and walking routes on the doorstep!
Castleton
This North Yorkshire village lies deep within the North York Moors, on the River Esk, 7 miles from Guisborough and 17 miles from Whitby. There is a mainline train station which runs on the Esk Valley line, a primary school, church, small supermarket, The Downe Arms public house and a tearoom. The Clapper Bridge which spans Danby Beck was given a Grade II listing in 2016. Anyone with a love of living amongst nature, a gentle pace of life and a passion for the great outdoors would be very happy here.
Claxton
Situated just off the A64, 8 miles north-east of York, 4 miles from Stamford Bridge and 10 miles from Malton – convenient for commuters, the coast and general amenities. Life in the country with all access areas.
Photo by: ???? ©️Pauline E (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Coxwold
Unsurprisingly, this picture-perfect village has been in the top best villages many times. There is a monthly market, tennis club, tearoom, pub (with local shop), garage, historic Shandy Hall and Newburgh Priory down the road. Located 18 miles north of York and 9 miles from Thirsk where there is a train station with direct trains to London. A hidden village within easy reach of bigger towns and cities. Perfect!
Photo by: Peter Wyn-Jones
Danby
Nestled deep on the North York Moors this is not an obvious commuter village. However, Danby has a lot to offer with transport links getting you from A-B without having to step into your car. The Esk Valley Railway (see image 2 for reality!) has services four times a day. Or, take the bus which has regular services. There is plenty to do in and around Danby: soak up the local history at The Moors National Park Centre, walk along the River Esk (Esk Valley Walk), chow down at the Stonehouse bakery and tearoom, stay at The Duke of Wellington Inn – all of this a hop and a skip from the seaside (Whitby, Runswick Bay, Robin Hood’s Bay, Sandsend and Saltburn-on-the-sea beaches).
Dunnington
A convenient and well stocked village located 4 miles east of York. Amenities include: sports club, library (a rarity these days), surgery, dental practice, village hall, 2 pubs (The Cross Keys & The Twine & Barrel), extensive sports facilities, a range of independent retailers and the Hassacarr Nature Reserve. What with being so well equipped and close to York, properties in this village are highly sought after.
East Witton
A pretty little village situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in Wensleydale with market towns Leyburn, Masham and Middleham nearby. The properties in the village are situated around the protected village green and nestled amongst the them is the renowned Blue Lion Inn.
Photo By: Phil Northeast – @phil_northeast
Egton Village and Egton Bridge
Consists of a long broad street situated 6 1/4 miles southwest of the coastal town of Whitby. The village has two pubs, church, primary school, village hall and hosts the annual Egton Show which is over 100 years old. Just down the road (literally!) Egton Bridge sits on the banks of the River Esk and has a train station, church, two hotels and Egton Manor event venue. Egton Bridge is also the setting for the oldest surviving gooseberry show in the country (over 200 years old).
Escrick
A pretty village off the A19 between Selby & York. There are numerous facilities including two pubs, a Thai restaurant, The Parsonage Hotel & Spa, social club, village hall, primary school, doctor’s surgery (with pharmacy), and St Helen’s church dating back to the 14th century. Queen Margaret’s school (a private girls school) has been located in the old Escrick Hall in the village since 1949. The Temple at Escrick Park (shown) was restored not that long ago – there is public access via a footpath, worth the walk! Much of the village is part of the Escrick Conservation Area, surrounded by extensive parkland and woodland walks. The village enjoys an active social life with events and clubs taking place all year round
Photo by: @thefollyflaneuse ????
Felixkirk
Felixkirk is conveniently situated close to motorway links and Thirsk train station (direct services to London). Nearby there are good primary schools and a short distance from Ampleforth College and Queen Mary’s School. The local rub-a-dub the Carpenter’s Arms is a friendly and very good pub with rooms and dog friendly!
Photo by: Matt Hiller –@mhp.property
Farlingotn
Tucked away yet close to York and the Howardian Hills, a gem of village with local pub The Blacksmith’s Arms, village hall for hire and St Leonard’s 12th century church. For amenities such as a village shops, post office and primary school, Sheriff Hutton is a five-minute drive away.
Fulford
A village a few miles south from York’s historic city walls, with an outstanding secondary school, shops, small music venue, a short distance to river walks and Fulford Golf Course. Fulford has all the benefits of being a village yet a stones throw from the hustle and bustle of York. Ticks a lot of boxes for many people. If you are looking to buy or sell in the area, please contact our Agency Director Ben Pridden: 07821 163071 bp@www.hewetsonandjohnson.co.uk
Photo by: Fulford Golf Club – @fulfordgolfclub
Gillamoor
GILLAMOOR sits on the edge of the North York Moors National Park and is renown for its ‘Surprise View’ which is at the eastern end of the village, where the road turns sharply and reveals a beautiful view towards Farndale. This unspoilt village has a pub (The Royal Oak), primary school and church. Shops and other local amenities can be found in the market town of Kirkbymoorside (3 miles).