St Mary's Church, Lastingham

Sir John Betjeman described it in one word - "unforgettable".

Simon Jenkins gives it four stars in his "Thousand Best Churches".

So things have definately been moving in the right direction since the Venerable Bede’s Ecclesiastical History described the location as "among steep and remote hills fit only for robbers and wild beasts".

Inside St Mary's Church, Lastingham.

I'm writing today about St Mary’s Church in Lastingham; built on the site chosen by Saint Cedd in AD653 to construct his monastery.

And it's a great place to pay a visit; by way of the beautiful walk across Spaunton Moor from Rosedale Abbey to Lastingham - a distance of around 10-miles return.

The Walk Takes in Aine Howe Cross & Purple Heather on Spaunton Moor.

When you arrive, you'll discover that St Mary's history is undergoing something of a reconstruction.

For a long period, the accepted belief was that Cedd founded his monastry in the Northern Wilderness.

But a recent survey carried out by Archaeologists from Leeds University found Roman-period building debris in the crypt.

It is now thought that the Cedd's original Anglo-Saxon Church was simply built on the location of an abandoned Roman Temple.

Bede’s further reference to Cedd having to purify the site before he could begin building, seems relevant here.

This new interpretation would make sense; since St Mary's at Lastingham is in close proximity to an important Roman road.

And it is also close to the great ruined Roman villa at Hovingham; on the edge of the fertile area of of the Vale of Pickering.

So the history of Lastingham as a place of worship and pilgrimage seems to be heading even further backwards into the mists of time.

From Rosedale to Lastingham

Walkers who are holidaying in Rosedale Abbey today can visit the Church of St Mary in Lastingham following a beautiful route across the Moors.

Leaving Rosella Cottage in the heart of Rosedale Abbey, you'll need to walk up the very steep Chimney Bank.

The View from the Top of Chimney Bank is Spectacular!

The bank has a gradient in places of greater than 1:3 and is recognised as England's steepest public road.

But it is good to get this major climb out of the way early; with the rest of the walk somewhat gentler.

At the summit of the bank, and as the road begins a gentle descent towards Hutton-le-Hole, you'll see a well formed path leading away across the Moor on the left.

Take this path and just follow along; keeping to the obvious gravel route as you head towards the Cross at Aine Howe.

From Aine Howe, continue on the obvious path as it heads downhill to bring you into Lastingham.

Turn right when you reach the road in the centre of the village and the Church is just around the corner.

You can take refreshments in the excellent Blacksmiths Inn; which is handily located just opposite the Churchyard!

The Blacksmiths Inn is Handily Located Right Next to the Church.