Charming village home to ‘most atmospheric church’ in England | UK | Travel
The village has been welcoming pilgrims and visitors for centuries (Image: stevegeer via Getty Images)
Nestled peacefully in the heart of the North York Moors National Park lies a charming village, home to a remarkable church, almost entirely hidden amongst the green of the countryside.
Lastingham frequently goes unnoticed compared to its more celebrated neighbouring Yorkshire settlements, boasting just 233 residents, yet it overflows with character.
Renowned for its ancient St Mary’s Church, the structure captivates visitors, particularly history enthusiasts travelling the moorlands.
The Church of St Mary stands apart from typical Church of England establishments, possessing special importance as it contains a medieval Norman crypt below ground level.Prior to the current church, the location was home to a significant Saxon monastery, believed to have been established in 654 AD by St Cedd.
Though the original building was ravaged during a Viking attack, leaving the spot in devastation, Benedictine monks later erected the stone church that remains today.
After discovering the village, one traveller wrote a glowing review, saying: “The church in Lastingham is well worth a visit.
“It is a beautiful place, and the architecture is wonderful. But the highlight is the crypt. It is unique and absolutely stunning. You will be astounded.”
Parish Church of Saint Mary in Lastingham, North Yorkshire, England (Image: John Short via Getty Images)
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Another added: “In the peaceful and attractive village of Lastingham, this church is very unusual. The crypt is exceptional, dating back to Norman times with plain arches and columns.
“Fortunately left unimproved by the Victorians, to go down the stairs to the crypt is to enter a very peaceful place where you can sit and enjoy a moment of contemplation.”
As with any quintessential Yorkshire village, it boasts a traditional watering hole – the Blacksmiths Arms – run by a proud North Yorkshire local. The establishment has built its reputation on serving generous portions of locally sourced fare within a welcoming setting, earning it an ‘excellent’ rating and countless glowing TripAdvisor testimonials.
The village has one pub perfect for walkers called The Blacksmiths Arms (Image: stevegeer via Getty Images)
One satisfied diner shared: “We often eat at the Blacksmiths in Lastingham, and we are never ever disappointed. The service is excellent, and the food is always superb!”.
Another visitor said: “What a lovely pub and restaurant; came here as a last-minute choice and glad we did. Staff couldn’t do more for us, and the food was wonderful, with plenty of choice, and taste was exceptional. Will definitely eat here in the future if we stay in the area again.”
A favoured walking trail from the village is the four-mile circular path leading to the neighbouring hamlet of Hutton-le-Hole. This moderately challenging route features potentially uneven terrain and muddy tracks, whilst offering picturesque views of meandering country lanes and Spaunton’s magnificent heather-covered moorland.
Its positioning makes it perfectly placed for a swift getaway, nestled between major urban centres. Lastingham sits less than an hour’s drive from both York and Middlesbrough, whilst the beloved coastal resort of Whitby lies just 45 minutes away.
