Ellerburn, St Hilda's Church
Ellerburn, St Hilda's Church

St Hilda's Church in the North York Moors hamlet of Ellerburn is a hidden gem, bypassed by most visitors to the region because it lies up a narrow country lane on the edge of the moors. Yet this quiet country church has a long history and was once the mother church of the area.

History

We do not know when the first church was built in Ellerburn, but there are carved fragments of Saxon stones built into the church walls. These carved stones probably date to the 8th century.

The small church we see today, with its strikingly high walls, dates to around 1050 and resembles a simple stone farmhouse more than it does a church. The nave measures roughly 30'6" x 17'3" while the chancel narrows to 19' x 12'6". There is a small, square 19th-century bellcote at the west end of the nave.

Scandinavian hog back grave ends
Scandinavian hog back grave ends

At first glance, the church appears to be Norman, but the unusually high nave walls suggest a Pre-Conquest origin. The chancel arch was rebuilt in the 13th century and a lancet window inserted in the south chancel wall. The church was enlarged in the 15th century when buttresses were added and a chapel built onto the south side of the nave.

The chancel arch may date to the 13th century, but the arch responds are early Norman or even earlier Pre-Conquest. There are several spiral carvings and a dogtooth string course. Look for another spiral carved into the base of a pillar, and a cross incised into a chancel arch capital.

The blocked north door may also be early Norman. The font is early Norman, probably dating to the 12th century. The roughly carved bowl sits on a modern base. The wooden pulpit and its sounding board are Jacobean as are the nave pews. The nave roof is mostly modern but the cladding hides earlier medieval timbers.

The church survived William the Conqueror's 'Harrying of the North' in 1069-70, perhaps because of its remote location. It did not, however, escape the Civil War; the church was used as a stable by Parliamentary soldiers. The medieval building was restored in 1904 by Caroe and Passmore of Liverpool. The company is still in existence and specialises in historic church restoration.

The 8th-century Scandinavian cross fragment
The 8th-century Scandinavian cross fragment

Scandinavian Carvings

Before you enter the church by way of the south porch, take the time to walk around the church exterior and see how many ancient carved stones you can find. Built into the corner of the porch is a Scandinavian cross and there is another in the south wall of the nave, east of the porch. Set into the east wall of the porch are the ends of two hogs head grave covers.

Another two fragments are incorporated into the south wall of the chancel. One is carved with a traditional scroll design and the other is carved with Pre-Norman ropework.

Over the east window is a stone carved with the worn likeness of a stag with antlers.

Too often any carved stone dated to the Pre-Norman period is dubbed 'Saxon', or even more loosely, 'Celtic'. I'm as guilty of this gross oversimplification as other writers. But, let's be clear; the Saxons occupied parts of southern, western, and eastern Britain before the coming of the Normans in 1066.

The north, including Yorkshire, was part of a Viking kingdom and was heavily influenced by Scandinavian, not Saxon, art. So when you see the Pre-Norman carved stones at Ellerburn you are rediscovering an ancient Scandinavian form of art.

Pre-Norman (or earlier) chancel arch carvings
Pre-Norman (or earlier) chancel arch carvings

Getting There

St Hilda's Church is in the hamlet of Ellerburn, reached off Whitbygate on the northern fringe of Thornton-le-Dale. From the A170 crossroads in the centre of Thornton-le-Dale head north on Whitbygate in the direction of Saltergate and Whitby. The turning towards Ellerburn is the second right.

Take the first left fork and proceed for a mile along the lane as it runs beside Thornton Beck and eventually reaches the hamlet of Ellerburn. The church is directly beside the road on your left, opposite the Cosy Nook Cafe, and is impossible to miss. There is a small parking area.

The church is open daily. We discovered the hard way that the door sticks and may be difficult to open, so you might think it is locked. It isn't; just persevere and it should open (eventually).

More Photos

About Ellerburn, St Hilda's Church
Address: Ellerburn Road, Ellerburn, North York Moors, Yorkshire, England, YO18 7LL
Attraction Type: Historic Church
Location: On Ellerburn Road, off Whitbygate on the northern fringe of Thornton-le-Dale.
Website: Ellerburn, St Hilda's Church
Location map
OS: SE841842
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

Thornton-le-Dale, All Saints Church - 0.7 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Pickering Church - 2.6 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Pickering Castle - 2.7 miles (Castle) Heritage Rating

North Yorkshire Moors Railway - 2.7 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Beck Isle Museum - 2.8 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

The Bridestones - 4.9 miles (Countryside) Heritage Rating

Cawthorn Roman Camps - 5 miles (Roman Site) Heritage Rating

Scampston Hall - 5.6 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating



Nearest Holiday Cottages to Ellerburn, St Hilda's Church:


  More self catering near Ellerburn, St Hilda's Church

Show self catering cottages near Ellerburn, St Hilda's Church