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Around Wharram Percy

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Our view

"Exploring a deserted medieval village via some expansive Wolds scenery."

Walk directions

Walk downhill from the car park on a clear path signposted to the deserted medieval village. After a kissing gate the path becomes a sunken hollow way for a while. Go through another gate and bear right, aiming not for the obvious metal gate but for a kissing gate 30yds (27m) to its right. Go down steps then cross both a small footbridge and a track (the former railway line).

Go up steps to another kissing gate. Bear left up the obvious track following the Wolds Way sign. Where the track forks, go straight on up the slope to the level area just above, to look at the main site of the deserted medieval village. Then descend a lesser track down left to a house with a ‘Wharram’ sign.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Stony at first, then green tracks, and finally a quiet lane. No stiles

Landscape - Typical Wolds mix of tight green valley and broad open ridges

Dog friendliness - There are usually some chances for dogs to run free, but beware grazing livestock

Parking - Small car park for Wharram Percy, signed off B1248

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in North Yorkshire Dog-friendly walks in North Yorkshire

About the walk

Archaeologists have recognised the locations of more than 3,000 deserted medieval villages across England. Many were identified quite recently, often from aerial photographs, which can reveal features invisible to surface observers. Wharram Percy is one of the most important and intensively studied... of its kind. Even here, surface features are mostly subtle lumps and bumps. Unless the light is just right (late on a winter afternoon, for example), it’s hard to make clear sense of the overall picture. Fortunately there are some excellent interpretive signs around the site as an aid to the imagination. While it appears intensively farmed today, the landscape of the Wolds was a challenge to early settlers, due in part to a scarcity of accessible water supplies. Wharram Percy is unusual in two respects, in having a large area of relatively flat land sheltered within the valley and in having a permanent stream. The site was almost certainly occupied as far back as the Neolithic period, and there is definite evidence of Iron Age occupation. However, it’s the period from the 8th to the 15th centuries which has yielded the richest finds. The village was abandoned in the Tudor period as landowners began to feel that they could make better revenues from sheep. Because the site has been used for grazing, and not heavily ploughed, the archaeology remained relatively undisturbed. Investigation of Wharram Percy was spearheaded by Maurice Beresford (1920–2005). He first visited the site in 1948 as a young lecturer at Leeds University. Recognising its potential, he returned in 1950 and 1951 to dig a series of test pits which established that the ‘lumps and bumps’ really were house foundations. Beresford teamed up with John Hurst from the Ministry of Works (later English Heritage), and between them they led summer digs at Wharram for the next four decades. Their dedicated work here and at other sites transformed the modern view of the medieval landscape. The 18th-century cottages (or ‘improvement house’) which are the only intact structure on the site boast a large sign saying ‘Wharram’. This used to adorn Wharram railway station, which was about 0.75 miles (1.2km) north of Point 2 on the walk. The sign was taken down in 1940, when the threat of Nazi invasion led to the removal of many helpful signs all over the country, and was never reinstated in its original place. Wharram was on the Malton and Driffield Junction Railway, which opened in 1853. During the 1920s and 1930s the line served a chalk quarry close to Wharram Station, and later the larger quarry at Burdale (which you can see from Point 6). The line closed in 1958; 50 years later the Yorkshire Wolds Railway Restoration Project was inaugurated, with the aim of restoring at least part of the line as a heritage railway. Just south of Point 2 the line entered the Burdale Tunnel, which was almost exactly a mile (1.6km) long. The tunnel entrances were bricked up in 1961, and inspections have revealed that the tunnel has since collapsed in two places.

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About the area

North Yorkshire, with its two National Parks and two designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is England’s largest county and one of the most rural. This is prime walking country, from the heather-clad heights of the North York Moors to the limestone country that is so typical of the Yorkshire Dales – a place of contrasts and discoveries, of history and legend.

Route details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

3 miles (4.8kms)

Ascent:

375ft (114m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Around Wharram Percy

Recommended by

Our view

"Exploring a deserted medieval village via some expansive Wolds scenery."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

3 miles (4.8kms)

Ascent:

375ft (114m)

Walk directions

1 of 6

2 of 6

Go through a kissing gate at the corner of the house and continue to St Martin’s Church. Walk past, or through, the church and continue to the restored fish pond. Bear left to cross the dam and go right to a signpost and kissing gate. Follow the direction indicated (‘Wolds Way and Thixendale’) on a path slanting up the hillside. Where it starts to level off is a good place to look back for views over Wharram Percy.

3 of 6

At another Wolds Way signpost bear right and continue on a near-level green track above the curves of Deep Dale. Follow this to another signpost (Centenary Way) and turn left onto a green track, leading to a wide crest with views north and south. Pass a bridleway sign on the right and continue along the main ridge track, which turns stony as it passes along the edge of a wood.

4 of 6

Continue to a road. Walk down right a short way (to the 16 per cent gradient sign) where the descent steepens and there’s a view down into Burdale and a large quarried chalk cliff.

5 of 6

Double back and follow the road over the ridge and down the other side. The lane leads directly back to the car park.

6 of 6

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Stony at first, then green tracks, and finally a quiet lane. No stiles

Landscape - Typical Wolds mix of tight green valley and broad open ridges

Dog friendliness - There are usually some chances for dogs to run free, but beware grazing livestock

Parking - Small car park for Wharram Percy, signed off B1248

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in North Yorkshire Dog-friendly walks in North Yorkshire

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

North Yorkshire

Around Wharram Percy

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Walking in Safety

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Around Wharram Percy

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