Old Byland Village and Church
The village, or rather hamlet, where we stayed for a week (in 2008): Old Byland, about three miles from Rievaulx Abbey and five from the town of Helmsley.
All Saints, Old Byland
All Saints church dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, and was rebuilt in the 1140s – that is, during the Anarchy, when King Stephen and his cousin the Empress Maud duked it out for control of the kingdom.
The font, which dates from the era when the church was rebuilt, and has been used to baptise inhabitants of Old Byland for the last 870 years.
Looking down the nave. The chancel arch is 12th century.
Human faces with rams' horns, carved on the arch.
15th century beams, rediscovered in the 1980s - having presumably been plastered over before that.

An Anglo-Saxon sundial, shoved in upside down by a mason, probably in the 1140s
And finally, a cottage near Rievaulx Abbey, which I think I'd kill to own. Look at that gorgeous garden!
Posted by Alianore 16 October, 2008 at 4:20 PM