Hutton Magna: Medieval Traces and Circular Walking Route

In Hutton Magna, historical settlement traces and a circular walk are the main points of interest for your trip. The remains of the medieval settlement are well preserved; the village’s history also includes the Church of St Mary, the base of the churchyard cross, and the lychgate as a First World War memorial. If you are looking for a hotel in Hutton Magna, consider whether your stay will focus mainly on the medieval site and memorials, or include walking as well. The details below distinguish between these themes and help you tailor your day’s plans to your interests.

The Medieval Settlement

The medieval settlement remains show a series of rectangular longhouse-style buildings. They are arranged along parts of three sides of an open area, interpreted as a large, roughly rectangular village green. The longhouse form describes the shape of the individual buildings; their arrangement along three sides, by contrast, helps explain their relationship to the open area. The historical focus is therefore not only on individual buildings, but also on the spatial pattern of their layout.

East of the medieval settlement, the hollow way continues as a road that is still in use today. Thus, alongside the arrangement of the buildings, the continuation of the route provides another spatial point of reference.

Church, Cross Base, and Lychgate

The Church of St Mary in Hutton Magna is a listed parish church. The base of the churchyard cross stands four metres south of the church; it is medieval and made of dressed sandstone. The church and cross base therefore offer two distinct points of interest: the protected parish church and a single medieval structure with a precisely specified location.

The lychgate in Hutton Magna is a First World War memorial. Robert Thompson, the “Mouseman of Kilburn,” built it to designs by Harry S. Chorley of Connon & Chorley. The names represent two different roles: Thompson as the builder and Chorley as the designer. This distinction makes the memorial’s construction history more specific than simply dating it to the First World War.

The cross base, dating from the medieval period, belongs to a different era from the lychgate, which is classified as a First World War memorial. These two historical periods give the village’s history a clear breadth; the parish church remains a further point of reference as a listed building in its own right.

Circular Walk and Views

The route from Whorlton to Hutton Magna is a 10.8-kilometre circular walk and can be started in the village of Hutton Magna. The older route description rates it as “easy”; check current path conditions before setting out. The route offers several views across the south bank of Teesdale. Views and path conditions may vary seasonally. Hutton Magna is not just the destination of the route from Whorlton: the circular walk can also start here.

Find Hotels for Your Stay

Consider whether your stay will focus mainly on the medieval settlement remains and memorials, or include the circular walk as well. Compare hotels for your dates based on your own requirements and book according to the purpose of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Wolsingham, Staindrop, Burnhope, Horden, Shildon, Hunwick, Spennymoor, Middleton-In-Teesdale.

Go to the main travel overview: Durham.