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18. A Rievaulx Abbey and Old Byland circular walk - part 2
The ancient Anglo-Saxon Church of All Saint's, Old Byland, with its later Norman additions to the building.
Its a fine old building, so please leave a donation to help with its upkeep and there is hot water plus tea/coffee to refresh yourself with.
Traces of early medieval Norman carvings of horned man and winged horses by the south entrance.
The nave and the Norman chancel arch of All Saint's, Old Byland.
The medieval font with a curious hood on it.
There are many attractive houses-cottages in the village of Old Byland e.g. Elm Cottage dated 1892,
and West View.
On the way back to Rievaulx you descend through Nettle Dale and after crossing the stepping stones and walk alongside the fish ponds created by the Rievaulx Abbey monks (the 1st is seen faintly on the left).
There are four tiered fish ponds built by the monks, so that the water (and fish!) can flow from one to the other in a controlled way. Earthen banks were constructed to keep the water in and maintain a decent depth. Impressive medieval civil engineering! but a snippet compared to the magnificent high stonework still seen in the Rievaulx Abbey ruins.
You can then walk on back to the Scawton road parking of Rievaulx Abbey itself.
* The Ryedale District and environs is a great area of North Yorkshire for walking holidays on the North York Moors and visiting the many towns and villages with their historic buildings including the many historic churches for the tourist to take in this part of Northern England * * page updated Aug 28th 2007 * EMAIL Phil Brown * * views-scenes-images-photographs-pictures-photos-webshots © Dr W P Brown * |
