"The Headland Benifice" St Leonards Church
Main Street, Speeton, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO14 9TD
Built by the Saxons, used by the Danes, restored by the Normans enjoyed by the Elizabethans. It began life in the care of the Augustinian Priory in Bridlington the font bears scars of its age and look out for the exquisitely carved lamb with a hint of a smile, carrying a cross. The church of St. Leonard's at Speeton, which is one of the smallest complete parish churches in Yorkshire, was erected in the early Norman period, not later than 1100. It was probably built on the site of an earlier Saxon church. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the incumbents at Flamborough and Bempton often conducted services at Speeton. The fact that the church was often empty at this time has led to the belief that it may have been used by smugglers to store their takings before distribution. Only one service was held every six weeks in 1743. The church was probably the one visited by Charlotte Bronte in 1852, when she tells that, "It was certainly not more than thrice the length of our passage, floored with brick, the walls green with mould, the pews painted white, but the paint almost worn off with time and decay." She also recorded the humorous situation of the choir facing away from the congregation. On the east wall there are the remains of a niche and canopy (5). These may have supported a statue of the Saint before the 1530's. The narrow tower is in three tiers with a pyramidal roof containing only one bell, which is a ships bell with a distinctive tone.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 20 September:
- 10.00 - 16.00
Location & directions
Main Street, Speeton, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO14 9TD
- Directions:
- Parking available next to the Church
- Contact on day:
- Dawn McKie
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Parking and path are of gravelled surfaces.
Additional information
There is a path leading down to the beach, this is quite steep, this part of the coast is worth visiting for the views alone.
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)
