The Time Tourist

Hidden in a field a good half a mile walk from the nearest road is a fascinating glimpse into our medieval past - Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village Located on the Yorkshire Wolds, not far from the town of Malton, Wharram Percy presents an intriguing historic site and opens up questions like: why was a whole village abandoned? I visited this English Heritage site with my fiancée back in Summer 2018. We arrived at the car park mid afternoon, having been for a trip to the lovely Kirkham priory earlier that day. We weren't sure what to expect really. I was desperate to see the site, having a passion for the medieval period - especially for the lower classes of the time - but was unsure if it would be fully worth the trip. On the walk down the hill to the site we past an older couple heading back up (safe to say we were glad we were going down the steep hill rather than climbing up, especially as it was a hot and muggy day). We exchanged greetings with the passing couple ...

On a rocky outcrop at the mouth of the River Tyne in the North East stands a site that has a wealth of heritage from the medieval period to the Second World War, Tynemouth Priory. On entering the English Heritage property you are first met with a chunky medieval defensive keep. There has been a castle on this site since at least 1095, but this would have been of earth and timber construction. The castle that stands today, all be it in a ruinous state, was constructed between 1296 - 1390. The Priory is the next impressive structure you will come across. The priory was founded in the early 7th Century and what is left today is limited but still rather impressive. Much of the east wall and it's large arched window openings still stand tall - make sure to look down as well, you can see the footprint of an early presbytery. Beyond the priory is a large graveyard, littered with grave stones of varying periods, and off to the left (right in the photo above) is a more recent addit...