Tuesday, 11 July 2023

Yorkshire - Wharram Percy

 The deserted village of Wharram Percy is located in North Yorkshire in the Yorkshire Wolds . It is situated in a narrow valley 'Deep Dale' which rises on the western side to a plateau.

Wharram Percy IJ / VM

Wharram Percy Deep Dale Valley

It is recorded in the Doomsday Book as Warran. The Percy being added from the time the lands were owned by the Percy Family.

Domesday Book recording Waaran


The village consisted of a number of homesteads bounded by stone walls with cereals and cattle being the main agricultural activity. The village church of  St Martin's was constructed from the 12th centaury onwards.

Wharram Percy late 13th Century

Wharram Percy  South Manor

Medieval Agriculture

Medieval Homestead

In 1402 / 03 the lands came under the ownership of the Hylton family. As sheep farming became more profitable than the cereal production the tenants were evicted and the land turned over to pasture. The village disappeared and the church fell into ruin. All that now remains are the grassed-over foundations of two manor houses and about 40 peasant houses and their outbuildings. 

Wharram Percy deserted Medieval Village

Wharram Percy  South Manor ruin

Wharram Percy St Martin's Church Ruins

Wharram Percy St Martin's Church Ruins

Wharram Percy St Martin's Church Ruins

Wharram Percy St Martin's Church Ruins IJ

Wharram Percy St Martin's Church Ruins

A farm was built in the area of the former village in the 18th century which would later be abandoned.

Wharram Percy 18th Century Farm

Wharram Percy Bovine Incident

Wharram Percy
"Everything alight on the Bovine Front "