Crayke in the Howardian Hills of North Yorkshire is a real out-of-the-way place a few miles south of the North York Moors National Park, but it is less than thirty minutes by car from York, and is handily placed for visiting many of the area’s most notable sites: Shandy Hall and Byland Abbey are about five miles to the north; and Castle Howard is some ten miles east. The village used to be in County Durham, and has historic links with the Bishops of Durham who built a castle on a rocky outcrop at Crayke atop the ruins of the Saxon monastery established in the time of St Cuthbert, the greatest saint of the Saxon period. The impressive and rather daunting castle, a grade II listed building, can still be seen. The village pub, the Durham Ox, takes its name from the mythical story of Durham’s foundation, and the parish church is named St Cuthbert’s. Crayke offers walkers some pleasant outings, and the views down the Vale of York can be breathtaking. Recent metal-detector searches around Crayke have uncovered some relics that emphasize the settlement was known to the Romans. A Roman road passed by or even through the place, in the thirties Roman pottery shards were found there, and when a gas pipe was being laid some time ago the remains of what was possibly a Roman temple were uncovered in the village. The searches even uncovered Stone Age tools placing the use of the site still further back in time.
Places to Stay near Crayke
The Durham Ox (0.15 miles)
AA Pub of the Year 2007-2008 - The Publican Freehouse of The Year 2008 - Good Pub Guide 2009 Yorkshire Pub of the Year Yorkshire Life Tradional Pub of the Year 2009 - White Rose Award ... More | visit websiteGeorge Hotel (2.13 miles)
Family owned and managed inn overlooking pretty Georgian Market Square, offering a warm welcome, fine food, real ales and good accommodation. All rooms ensuite with welcome tray and TV/radio/telephone. Log fires ... More
Burn Hall Classic Hotel (3.43 miles)
Burn Hall Hotel is currently undergoing a £4.3 million refurbishment transforming it into a high quality hotel due to complete August 2007. This Victorian mansion house is set amidst 8 ... More
Fauconberg Arms (4.43 miles)
The Old Rectory (5.06 miles)
The Fairfax Arms Country Inn (5.08 miles)
Forresters Arms Hotel (6.31 miles)
Click for substantially discounted rates and booking online or by phone with Late rooms
The Forresters Arms Bed and Breakfast is situated in the picturesque village of Kilburn near York, Surrounded by immense natural ... More
Thirklewood House (6.56 miles)
Thirklewood House compromises a private house offering bed & breakfast accommodation. Nestled within expansive gardens in the North York Moors National Park - just three miles from Helmsley, twenty-one miles ... More
Worsley Arms Hotel (The) (7.17 miles)
Built in 1841 as a Georgian Spa Hotel, the Worsley Arms offers an exquisite, timeless country house setting with open log fires and stylish furnishings.
The restful and informal environment is perfect ... More
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