Escrick: Village History and Walking Routes

Escrick was developed as an estate village by Sir Henry Thompson. The village’s history is reflected in the Church of St Helen, the Escrick Heritage Hub and its named memorials; suggested walks lead to a range of destinations. Plan your stay around historical sites and specific routes.

Church of St Helen and Escrick Heritage Hub

The Church of St Helen was built in 1857 by F. C. Penrose in the Gothic Revival style and is a Grade II* listed building. In the north aisle, the Escrick Heritage Hub presents a permanent exhibition on the village’s development. There are also changing temporary exhibitions based on oral histories and the community archive.

The church also contains a damaged knight’s effigy from the early 14th century. Heritage Hub volunteers answer questions when they are present and offer tours of the church. If you plan to take a tour, check the events calendar before travelling: tours depend on the volunteers being present.

The church is open daily from approximately 9 am to 5 pm; check the opening hours before your visit. The churchyard is open at all times. There is step-free access with a ramp at the main door; the church’s main areas and the vestry are also accessible at ground level.

Memorials and architectural history

Several listed buildings in Escrick are part of the village’s history, including Escrick Hall and the Church of St Helen. The memorial to Lady Caroline Neville was created by Count Gleichen. The Jane Lawley memorial is by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and is one of only three known works by Thorvaldsen in England. The Escrick & Deighton War Memorial was designed by the architect Temple Moore.

The Garden Temple is a circular ashlar structure dating from the mid to late 18th century; its Ionic colonnade is a defining feature of its architectural description. The rear range of Escrick Park dates from around 1765 and was designed by John Carr for Beilby Thompson. These structures and attributions offer different chronological and stylistic clues to the village’s history.

The landscape is also part of the village’s history: the Escrick Moraine runs from west to east through the village. The settlement probably developed there because the land was less prone to flooding than the surrounding area. This remains a possible interpretation, not a confirmed cause.

Suggested walks and their destinations

The Escrick Village Heritage Trail leads to buildings associated with the family that owned the estate. Free trail leaflets are available at the reception of the Church of St Helen. They help you include the connection between the buildings and the estate’s history in your village walk.

One suggested walk goes through Gashouse Wood, along QM Drive to the Yorkshire Gents Cricket Pavilion and on to the Temple. Another follows Carr Lane Beck to the disused mine site and returns via New Road. A further route suggestion leads to the Sustrans cycle path and back via or past Crabtree Farm. The named destinations distinguish the suggested routes; the descriptions do not specify walking times or difficulty. Local path conditions may change, so check them before setting out.

Getting there and practical information

Escrick is on the A19 main road, roughly halfway between York and Selby. Arriva bus routes 415 and 416 run between the two cities. A request stop is approximately 300 yards from the Church of St Helen. Bus services may change, so check the timetable before travelling. There is a church car park behind the church; conditions there may also change.

Rideways is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and online booking before arrival is required. Check the booking details before your visit. Escrick Park Estate also has a fully enclosed dog run of just under one acre, where dogs can run off the lead. The church and village history, suggested walks and these specific visitor facilities offer different starting points for planning your time in Escrick.

Discover more destinations: Ingleton, Wigglesworth, Stokesley, Wykeham, Ganton, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Settrington, Threshfield

Return to the main travel overview: North Yorkshire.