Discover Riccall: History and Walks

Riccall offers several distinct points of historical interest: the dated building history of St Mary's Church, the medieval York Prebendary Manor, and well-preserved historic streets and paths. There are also two different themes to explore: the Riccall Round, with its connection to the former ferry at Riccall Landing, and a scale model of the solar system between Riccall and Bishopthorpe. If you are looking for a hotel in Riccall, these themes can help you choose a place based on your interests in church history, medieval sites or historic paths.

St Mary's Church and local history

The doorway of St Mary's Church in Riccall dates from 1160; the low, three-tiered tower was added in 1180. The twenty-year gap marks two distinct building phases and helps date the individual features, rather than assigning a single construction date to the entire building.

A historical account reports that a Viking fleet used Riccall as a base before the Battle of Stamford Bridge. This story offers another perspective on Riccall's past alongside the dated architecture: it concerns the use of the place before the battle, while the church dates refer to later features.

The York Prebendary Manor

The medieval moated site of the York Prebendary Manor lies on the western edge of the village of Riccall. It is considered a good example of a high-status moated site. The site preserves a substantial part of the late-medieval manor house. The manor existed by 1294 at the latest and was first documented that year.

The year 1294 marks the first year in which the manor was documented, not necessarily its construction date. Together with the dates associated with the church, it shows how historical dates can mean different things: sometimes they refer to individual features, and sometimes to the first documented record of an estate.

Historic paths and the Riccall Round

The historic streets and paths in Riccall's Conservation Area are well preserved. The village's history therefore encompasses not only individual buildings, but also historic routes. They add a spatial perspective on Riccall alongside the dated architecture and the manor.

The Riccall Round starts at the Regen Centre on Landing Lane in Riccall. Details of the starting point may change, so check them before travelling. The circular route passes Riccall Landing, the former site of a ferry to the settlements west of the River Ouse. The route therefore brings together a present-day path and the memory of a former river crossing.

A model of the solar system

A 10.4 km-long scale model of the solar system runs between Riccall and Bishopthorpe. It offers a different theme from Riccall's local history: while the church and manor can be understood through their building histories and historical dates, the model stretches between two named places. Its length and scale give this theme a distinct form alongside the historic sites in the village.

Discover more destinations: Flaxton, Harrogate, Winteringham, Burrill, Wykeham, Monk Fryston, Bedale, Burton-In-Lonsdale

For the regional travel overview: North Yorkshire.