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Church of All Saints, Old Byland

Church of All Saints, Village Green, Old Byland, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 5LG

  • Multiple dates available
  • In person
  • Pre-booking not required

All Saints is an ancient church lying just off the picturesque village green of Old Byland. The church dates back to Saxon/Norman times, late 11th and early 12th century. Old Byland is about one mile above Rievaulx Abbey in the North York Moors.

Mal and George Gyte

Mal and George Gyte

All Saints Church, Old Byland.

Bishop Barry Hill with Lent Walkers, All Saints Church, Old Byland

Bishop Barry with Churchwarden Ivan, All Saints Church, Old Byland

The church is mentioned in the Doomsday Book but evidence from the coping stones and carvings suggest it was a Saxon church before the Norman alterations. The Byland monks were granted land at Tylas in 1143, but after disagreements with the cistercian monks at Rievaulx moved first to Stocking, then Kilburn and finally Byland. However, throughout the Middle Ages the village and church remained in their possession. There is a very rare Saxon sundial on the church tower, 12th century Saxon tiles and font in the Sanctuary, and a Cistercian font is used for baptisms. The village was near the scene of a fierce medieval battle at Sutton Bank -the Battle of Old Byland - between the Scots and the English on 14 October 1322, and was a significant victory for the Scots. However, this devastated the area and led to parts of the church being rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries.Historical information is on display and light refreshments will be available.

At this church, there will be wall hangings by local textile artist Sue Wressell, who will be exhibiting her artwork. In addition, there will be a display of information about our local Saint, Aelred of Rievaulx. On the village green local artist Reverend Peter Clarke has created a Labyrinth to celebrate the opening of the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail.

Timings & Tours

Friday 12 September:
0900-1700
Saturday 13 September:
0900-1700
Sunday 14 September:
0900-1700

Location & directions

Church of All Saints, Village Green, Old Byland, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 5LG

Directions:
There is car parking space in front. of the Rectory and more available on the wide verges just outside the village where cars can park carefully. The church lies in the top north east corner of the village green, just behind the rectory.. There is a labyrinth on the village green, laid out by Reverend Peter Clarke.
Contact on day:
Saturday 13 September: George Gyte 07900 896739 or [email protected]. Sunday 14 September Ivan Holmes, Churchwarden, 07774 728530
Telephone number:
+447900896739

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Disabled parking can take place on the area of the green outside the rectory.

Additional information

All Saints is stage 4 on the Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail. The area around Old Byland is a popular tourist destination, especially with walkers with many excellent walks from the village, and the even more challenging 109-mile hike of the Cleveland Way very near. It is on a several circular walks from Rievaulx Abbey as well as the National Park Sutton Bank Centre. The church has a Petal Walk - a short walk for families involving a picnic spot, a scenic view and a place to paddle in a stream. The village is also the start of a 7-mile accessible trail for disabled ramblers. See the SAPT website.

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