Wharram Percy, a deserted medieval village near Malton in the Yorkshire Wolds, has been abandoned for more than 500 years. Despite its long abandonment, it remains one of the largest and best-preserved deserted medieval villages in Britain, attracting visitors and archaeologists alike.
History of Wharram Percy
People are thought to have lived at Wharram Percy from around the ninth or 10th century, with the settlement surviving for roughly 600 years. At its height, the village was home to around 40 houses, along with manor buildings, a church, and working mills that supported the local community. The ruined St Martin's Church, dating back to the 12th century, is the only medieval building still standing. It was altered several times over the years, and archaeologists have uncovered evidence of even older buildings beneath it, including a smaller stone church and an earlier timber structure.
Why the Village Was Abandoned
By the early 1500s, the village had almost completely disappeared. Landowners gradually turned farmland into pasture for sheep because it was more profitable, forcing families to leave and causing the population to decline. The site has been studied by archaeologists since the 1940s, helping experts better understand why medieval villages disappeared, including the impact of events such as the Black Death and changes in farming.
Visiting Wharram Percy Today
Visitors can still see where houses, barns, and two manor houses once stood, along with the remains of the millpond that served the community. The site is open during daylight hours and is located near Centenary Way, Wharram-le-Street, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 9TD. Visitors will need to walk around three-quarters of a mile from the nearby car park, as there is no direct vehicle access to the village. Parts of the route can be steep, muddy, and uneven, so it may not be suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Practical Information
Parking costs £2 for non-members and can be paid by text, while English Heritage members can park free with a valid permit. Visitors are asked to stay on the marked paths because the surrounding land is private, and dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on a lead. Those who have been say it's definitely worth visiting. One person wrote on TripAdvisor: "Wharram Percy is terrifying in a sense. It's extremely fascinating but also terrifying, knowing that people lived there and the palace basically no longer remains." Another added: "Fantastic trip. Walking around the old buildings was great fun."
