Stamford Bridge connects the history of the 1066 battle with archaeological traces, historic buildings and walking and cycling routes. Here, nature and local history meet along the River Derwent. Reasons to visit range from the battlefield landscape to buildings dating back several centuries.
Battlefield, landscape and river
On 25 September 1066, English forces attacked Hardrada and Tostig’s army south of Stamford Bridge and killed Hardrada. Battle Flat has long been used for agriculture. Apart from the expansion of Stamford Bridge, the battlefield landscape has remained essentially unchanged.
Public access to the Battle Flats area is currently limited to the Minster Way and footpaths north and east of the battlefield area. Check before your visit whether access arrangements are still the same. The River Derwent in the Stamford Bridge area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The underground remains of a Roman small town, thought to have been called Derventio, extend across both sides of the Derwent; to the north, they are overlain by modern Stamford Bridge. Historically, Stamford Bridge stood at a natural ford across the river and at the intersection of Roman roads. One route ran from York to Malton, another from Brough via Barmby Moor to Thirsk.
Buildings and local history
The Bridge Over River Derwent was built in 1727 to a design by William Etty of York. The Stamford Bridge Railway Viaduct was built in 1847 from red brick. Its river span is made of cast iron, while the land spans are masonry. Stamford Bridge Railway Station was built around 1847 by G T Andrews for the York and North Midland Railway Company.
St John the Baptist Church dates from 1868 and has been in continuous use for worship ever since. It is usually open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm; visitors are welcome to look around or pray. Check opening times before travelling.
The historic houses and chapels also date from different periods: The Bay Horse Inn is an inn dating from the late 18th to early 19th century. Remains of an earlier building from the early 18th century may survive at its east end. The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on The Square was built in 1828 and received a porch in the early 20th century. The listed Manor House in Stamford Bridge West dates from the late 18th century; its brown-brick façade has four bays.
A garden featuring plants used for natural dyeing and historical medicine has been created at the Living History site in Stamford Bridge. The Stamford Bridge Tapestry is housed in Platform 66 and cared for by the Friends of the Tapestry. A talk on the history of the Battle of Stamford Bridge may be available for private visits. Arrange your visit and any other details with Platform 66 before travelling.
Walking and cycling routes
The Stamford Bridge Circuit is an 18-mile, moderate cycling route. It passes through Stamford Bridge towards High Catton, then follows the Route 66 signs back to Pocklington. Route details may change; check the current route before setting out.
The Stamford Bridge to Kexby Return circular walk starts and ends at The Square. Along the route, the River Derwent is an internationally important wildlife habitat, home to salmon, eels and otters. Sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed. The cycling tour therefore focuses on a named route with a distance and difficulty level, while the walking circuit has a starting and ending point in the village.
Discover more destinations: Hutton Cranswick, Skirpenbeck, Bubwith, Cottingham, North Ferriby, Pocklington, Brough, Everingham.
For the main travel overview: East Riding Of Yorkshire.
