Moderate Walk – Wharram Percy

Located in a picturesque setting, Wharram Percy is the most famous deserted medieval village in Britain.  This lovely 2.7 mile short circuit heads right through the peaceful site and continues on the Yorkshire Wolds Way up the dry valley before returning to the car park.

It is difficult to imagine today that Wharram Percy would have been a busy village between the 12th and 14th centuries. Now managed by English Heritage, many of the buildings that helped to make the village flourish have gone, with only remnants visible as excavated sites, ditches or banks.

The village is considered the most famous deserted medieval village in Britain. Excavations took place every year from the 1950s to 1990. These have uncovered lots of information about how our ancestors lived, with new stories still unfolding. Most recently archaeologists have uncovered more about the villagers belief in the “living dead” where bodies were decapitated, dismembered and burnt in the belief that it would prevent them from rising from their graves, spreading disease and attacking the living!

Our walk starts from the car park near Bella Farm, dropping down to and through the deserted medieval village.  A gradual climb past the village site on the Yorkshire Wolds Way takes us to a left turn onto the Centenary Way.  This joins a section of quiet road that takes us back to the car park, with extensive views to be enjoyed.

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