Rarely referenced in guidebooks, parish churches are often overlooked jewels offering a wealth of history. Many date from the 12th century (and may incorporate earlier elements); stunning stained glass windows are a common feature. Most are open to visitors, but are often kept locked, so that you will have to hunt down whoever holds the key. (Check the notice board by the door to find out how to call.) Such churches (and their churchyards) are also a wonderful source of information to genealogists.
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Church of St. Lawrence (19th century)
Atwick, East Yorkshire
The Church of St Lawrence stands at the west end of the Village and is believed to be the third to stand on this site. It was rebuilt in 1876 using red brick and has a saddleback tower and tiled roof.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_atwick.htm
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St. Andrew's Church (12th century)
Bainton, East Yorkshire
St Andrew's church stands on a raised site and is locally known as the 'Cathedral of the Wolds'. It is believed to be the forth church to stand on the site and has a font from the Norman period. It also houses a remarkable Mauley monument that resembles the Percy tomb at Beverley Minster.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_bainton.htm
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All Saints Church (17th century)
Barmston, East Yorkshire
All Saints Church overlooks a pond and the stackyards of neighbouring farms. It contains fragments of a hog-back tomb and some medieval glass. Also a 17th Century Boynton family monument.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_barmston.htm
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St. Martin's Church (12th century)
Burton Agnes, East Yorkshire
St Martin's Church is basically a Norman building over 800 years old. Its access is under an avenue of beautiful yew trees. It is believed to be the second church to stand on this site and has been altered greatly over the years. There a many curious features within the church and one of a number of monuments is one in memory of Robert Wilberforce, son of the reformer William Wilberforce, who at one time was a rector in the village
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_burton-agnes.htm
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Dalton Holme Church (19th century)
Dalton Holme, East Yorkshire
The beautiful spire on the 19th Century Church is over 200 feet high and can be seen for miles around. Inside the church lie a number of the Hotham family and there is a fine black and white marble monument in memory of Sir John Hotham (1698) which is said to have come from Italy. A knight in full armour and helmet and gauntlet is stood beside him.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_dalton-holme.htm
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St. Nicholas Church (12th century)
Dunnington, East Yorkshire
The tiny church of St Nicholas sits quietly and is a pretty example of a Norman church with some signs of Victorian restoration work. It has a small bell on the outside and a white wooden porch.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_dunnington.htm
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St. James Church (12th century?)
Fordon, East Yorkshire
St James church is a most delightful little Church sat on the dale side. It is of Norman times and was much restored in the eighteenth century and later. It has an original Norman doorway and is stated to be the smallest Church in Yorkshire.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_fordon.htm
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St. Andrew's Church (13th century)
Foston-on-the-Wolds, East Yorkshire
St Andrews Church, which also serves Gembling and Brigham, dates back to the 13th Century and has a Norman Nave and chancel. Outside the church is a wall and seat in the memory of a young women who died aged 21 years of leukaemia. A sad but loving tribute to someone who died so young from her friends and family. The Church yard is in the shadow of the church on the opposite side of the road.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_foston-on-the-wolds.htm
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St. Mary's Church
Fridaythorpe, East Yorkshire
The tiny St Mary's Church stands well away from the main road in a quiet lane in the centre of the village and in 1999 was undergoing some building work. It has a most unusual clock on its exterior wall made of wood with bold black and white scrollwork. The clock is believed to have been copied from one like it in an 18th century French chateau and announces 'Time is Short, Eternity is Long'.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_fridaythorpe.htm
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St. Michael & All Angels Church (12th century)
Garton-on-the-Wolds, East Yorkshire
Garton on the Wolds is famous for St Michael's and All Angel's Church. This fine Norman Church, established by Kirkham Priory in 1132, stands in a commanding position on a rise above with village presiding over its parishioners on one side and having spectacular views across the Wolds on the other. The nave and the tower are believed to be from this period although the top of the tower was added in the 15th Century along with the clock. In the 19th Century the church was restored by G.E. Street and now has some of the finest examples of his work. People come from miles around to visit the church with its richly coloured frescoes, reredos, painted walls and ceilings. There is also beautiful tile work and mosaic pavements. The fine lych gate which leads into the church yard is also by Street.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_garton-on-the-wolds.htm
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St. John of Beverley Church (Norman)
Harpham, East Yorkshire
The Church of St John of Beverley is a small Church but attracts many visitors each year. It is of Norman era and built in stone. It has been repaired during the years with brick, evidence of this can be seen in the nave and the clock tower.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_harpham.htm
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St. Peter's Church (19th century)
Helperthorpe, East Yorkshire
The Church of St Peter stands above the village. The original wooden church was pulled down in 1872 and replaced in 1875. The church and vicarage were designed by the famous architect G.E. Street and paid for by Sir Tatton Sykes, Baronet and Lord of the manor. The church has an oak-panelled roof, which is richly painted in red, blue and gold. This was restored in 1998.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_helperthorpe.htm
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Church of St. Peter's
Hutton, East Yorkshire
The Church of St Peter's is situated at Hutton and has Norman fragment in the South doorway as well as early English arcades, a perpendicular tower and Victorian windows. There are six church bells in all which ring out loud and crystal clear. They attract campanologists from far and wide who come to 'ring the changes'. The Old Vicarage next to the Church was built in 1874 and is a handsome brick building in the Gothic style which is now privately owned after a new vicarage was built in 1967 with in its grounds.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_cranswick.htm
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All Saints Church (Norman)
Kilham, East Yorkshire
The All Saints Church stands on a rise in a commanding position overlooking all that passes by. It is a Norman church with some interesting carvings in the walls of its massive tower. The doorway is adorned with exquisite chevron mouldings from the 17th century. Outside of the Church can be found an old tethering ring in a stone block which is a reminder of the cattle trade which once took place in the village. There is also a cast iron water pump to be found opposite All Saints, another reminder of days gone by.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_kilham.htm
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St. Mary's Church (12th century)
Kirkburn, East Yorkshire
St Mary's Church was built in 1139 from where the Nave and the spectacular south doorway survive. Modifications have been made to the tower which has the most remarkable stairway. The chancel was rebuilt in 1857 and the screen and reredos are by G.E. Street.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_kirkburn.htm
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St. Peter's Church (12th century)
Langtoft, East Yorkshire
There is a steep side street which goes past the primary school and leads to St Peter's Church and The Rectory. There was a thorough restoration of the church in 1900 when the north aisle was added. But some of the original work is that of the tower, south porch and some of the south aisle. The font came from the church left in the village of Cottom, which was left deserted after the Black Death swept through the small community. This is from the Norman period.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_langtoft.htm
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St. James of Compostella Church (19th century)
Lissett, East Yorkshire
The St James of Compostella Church lies quietly behind some trees. It was built in 1876 but some of the Norman work from its predecessor was used. It is said to contain the oldest dated bell in England which dates to 1254.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_lissett.htm
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St. Peter's Church (12th, 19th century)
Little Driffield, East Yorkshire
The huge horse chestnut trees stand stately in front of St Peter's church, Little Driffield. St Peter's is the burial place of Aldfrith, King Of Northumbria who died in 705. There is an interesting tablet in the chancel. Temple Moore was responsible for extensive restoration work to the church in 1889. There is a Norman tower-arch and other incorporated medieval fragments.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_little-driffield.htm
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St. Martin's Church (14th century)
Lowthorpe, East Yorkshire
St Martin's Church stands behind high conifers, which have grown tall over the years giving it a dark and gloomy appearance as you, walk up the path towards it. It is believed to have been built in 1333, when the church was made collegiate by Sir John de Heslerton and housed six chaplains and three clerks. The college survived until its dissolution in 1579, when it declined in status to a Parish Church. The chancel now is open to the skies but the church remains supported and used today. There is a strange family tomb on the left as you enter the church, which depicts a man and a woman in flowing robes. A tree appears to grow over them and from the branches of the trees are thirteen children's heads, seven on the mans side, six on the women's side. The tomb is thought to represent Sir John Heslerton who originated from near by Rudston Parva and is believed to date back to the 14th Century. The Church inside is very simple and has a high, wood beamed ceiling. The simplicity echoes the simple and peaceful life in this area of the Wolds.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_lowthorpe.htm
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All Saint's Church (Norman)
Nafferton, East Yorkshire
All Saint's Church stands in a commanding position on a rise in the Village. It is a large Norman built church with a perpendicular tower, north aisle and clerestory. There are a number of curious medieval monuments inside.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_nafferton.htm
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St. Andrew's Church (13th century)
Middleton-on-the-Wolds, East Yorkshire
St Andrew's Church sits in a commanding position on a rise in the centre of the Village presiding over its parishioners. Although heavy restoration work was completed in 1874, the original masonry and early 13th Century chancel survived. The churchyard contains four medieval tombstones. The churchyard used for burials today is situated on the outskirts of the village. So too is the Village Primary School, which is situated up the Hill on Station Road.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_middleton-on-the-wolds.htm
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All Saints Church (Norman)
North Dalton, East Yorkshire
All Saint's Church stands presiding over the village. It has a Norman doorway and the arch between the nave and the chancel also comes from that period. There is a low embattled tower and the most beautiful stained glass window at the west end in which the cross is depicted as a tree, at the west end are three lancet windows.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_north-dalton.htm
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St. Elgin Church (19th century)
North Frodingham, East Yorkshire
The road narrows and there is a sharp turn where on the right standing on a rise is The Church which is dedicated to St. Elgin. It was heavily restored in the 19th Century although the original Norman Font remains. The perpendicular tower has a niche around the top, which is also evident in the exterior north wall.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_north-frodingham.htm
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All Saints Church (12th century)
Rudston, East Yorkshire
All Saints Church is nearly as famous as the Monolith attracting hundreds of visitors each year. It has a 12th Century chancel arch and a Norman tower. The Font is from the same time and there are two interesting 19th Century memorials.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_rudston.htm
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St. Leonard's Church (Norman)
Skerne, East Yorkshire
The Church has a deep rural setting being accessible either through a farm yard or via a country lane off the road to Wansford! St Leonard's has many Norman features in its nave and chancel, which is when the majority of the church was built. However the entrance porch on the south side and the bell tower were probably added in the 15th Century. It has a decorated east window and a perpendicular tower.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_skerne.htm
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St. Mary's Church (14th century)
Sledmere, East Yorkshire
There has been a church on that site since Norman times. Some of the stone work in the present tower dates back to the 14th Century. The Church interior has many elaborate carvings by John Barker, a celebrated sculpture of the 19th Century. The magnificent carvings on the interior and exterior of St. Mary's makes it well worth a visit.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_sledmere.htm
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St. Mary's Church (12th century)
Thornton-in-Craven, East Yorkshire
This solid little church of 1461 (see inscription over East window) is set on an exposed knoll of ground above the village and its almshouses (1815). Among the many unusual features is the bafflingly mis-spelt inscription of 1510 on the tower, the design of the 17th century pews and the 18th century dome covering a spring in the old churchyard. The east window is attributed to Kempe and there are memorials to the Nelsons of Gledstone Hall.
http://www.daelnet.co.uk/features/churches/skptpend/th_in_cr.htm
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All Saints Church (12th century)
Thwing, East Yorkshire
The All Saint's Church is a 12th Century building retaining many of its original Norman features. The communal silver plate was presented to the church in 1689 by Thomas Lamplugh who was born in nearby Octon. He became Archbishop of York in 1688 and his name lives on in the area in the title of Lamplugh House which is situated nearby. It was opened in 1973 as a Christian Conference Centre for young people and attracts both clergy and laymen from home and abroad.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_thwing.htm
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St. Mary's Church (19th century)
Wansford, East Yorkshire
St Mary's Church serves the Village and surrounding area and was built in 1868 by the Sykes family of Sledmere. The Vicarage was built in the 20th Century, also by the Sykes family, along with the former school and school house. The Old School is now a fabulous private dwelling named The Finishing Post.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_wansford.htm
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St. Andrew's Church (12th century)
Weaverthorpe, East Yorkshire
St Andrew's Church sits up on the hillside looking down on the Village below. It is a stone built building with a Norman Tower and a very unusual round staircase which protrudes on the exterior of the tower. Over the south doorway is a sun dial placed there in memory of Herbert of Winchester, who built the Church in the 12th Century. Outside the Church is a memorial seat.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_weaverthorpe.htm
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St. Nicholas Church (13th century)
Wetwang, East Yorkshire
St Nicholas Church is substantially a Norman Church that was modified in the 13th Century to add the tower and transepts.
http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_wetwang.htm
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