East Harlsey offers specific points of interest for a stay: the Church of St Oswald at the eastern end of the village, a well-signposted footpath network and cricket in the village. The varied themes range from heritage conservation and religious heritage to paths and activities in village life. This lets you choose your own priorities when planning your trip, rather than arranging every reason to visit in a set order.
Church and views
At the eastern end of East Harlsey stands the Church of St Oswald, a Grade II* listed building. Its well-maintained churchyard offers lovely views of the Hambleton Hills. The church and churchyard therefore provide a specific point of interest for anyone interested in religious heritage and landscape.
Services are held at the Church of St Oswald at 9am on the first and third Sundays of the month, with additional services on special occasions. Everyone is welcome. As the service schedule may change, it is advisable to check the latest times before visiting.
Mount Grace Priory: monastic site and gardens
Mount Grace Priory was founded in 1398. At the Carthusian monastery, each monk had his own cell and garden. Visitors can enter a reconstructed monk’s cell. This offers a way to understand the site’s distinctive layout not only through its buildings, but also through a close-up look at the design of a cell.
The historic site includes a fishpond, three well houses, a moat and the remains of the monastery mill. Together with the cells and gardens, these features offer different insights into the site: the individual living quarters contrast with the shared water and mill structures. Several cells and gardens also show traces of gardening, including planting trenches and herb beds.
The 13-acre Arts and Crafts-style gardens can also be explored. Mount Grace Priory therefore brings together different garden traditions: the individual garden assigned to each monk and the extensive Arts and Crafts-style gardens. There is seating indoors, and a covered seating area is available outside.
Mount Grace Lady Chapel is a Roman Catholic shrine and place of pilgrimage. It is located in the North York Moors National Park. The religious heritage of Mount Grace Priory thus encompasses both the history of the Carthusian monastery and a shrine expressly described as a place of pilgrimage.
Footpaths and cricket
The parish of East Harlsey has a well-maintained, well-signposted footpath network. For a specific walk, the route from East Harlsey to Kirby Sigston and West Harlsey follows well-signposted field paths and bridleways and has only a few livestock gates. Conditions on this route may vary depending on the season; take this into account when planning.
East Harlsey Cricket Club offers everyone aged five and over the opportunity to play cricket. Spectators are welcome at home matches, where tea and a slice of cake are served. Match and catering arrangements may change. If you would like to play or attend a home match, check the club’s latest information in advance.
More reasons to visit
East Harlsey Village Hall can be hired by the public and by business organisations. There is a well-equipped play area behind the hall; as its facilities may change, it is worth checking before your visit if this is important to your plans.
The different options offer different points of focus: services follow a recurring schedule, while the signposted paths make walking the main activity. Cricket offers both the opportunity to take part from the age of five and a reason to watch a home match. This distinction can help you make a choice based on your interests and the conditions for each visit.
Discover more destinations: South Kilvington, Goathland, York, Harrogate, Nawton, Ingleton, Colton, Thornton-le-Moor
For the broader travel overview: North Yorkshire.
