“Off the beaten track” Nun Monkton is 2 miles down a mostly straight country lane. A “cul de sac” village with no through traffic, part of its charm is the peace and quiet. There are no street lights making it a wonderful place to see the stars on a clear night.
Despite only having a population of around 200, Nun Monkton has plenty of amenities and attractions.
With one of the last working Greens in Yorkshire, the summer months sees cows ambling around the village to graze, and in hot weather wading into the pond to cool off.
The village church of St. Mary’s is tucked behind a magnificent Weeping Beech tree and claims to have some of the best stained glass windows in Yorkshire.
The village has had a Maypole for over 200 years. The current one stood at 88 feet (27 metres) high, reportedly the tallest in England. Unfortunately, in 2018, the top section was found to be rotten and had to be removed. A working group is looking to raise funds to replace the maypole.
Situated at the confluence of the rivers Nidd and Ouse, you can walk along the riverbank and see Beningbrough Hall on the other side of the river.
Nun Monkton Foundation Primary School for children aged 4 – 11 years serves the village and surrounding villages and is rated as Good and with some outstanding features by Ofsted. With a high staff to pupil ratio and an idyllic and safe location it is the perfect start for any child's education.
The Alice Hawthorn has recently been refurbished and has something for everyone. Alice Hawthorn was a racehorse born in 1838, bred by local farmer, John Plummer, who named the mare after the daughter of his farrier. The horse won 52 of the 71 races she ran between 1841-45.
A pub since 1787 (originally called the Bluebell Inn), the Fishermen’s Bar is a popular watering hole for locals and visitors alike, and dog friendly. The restaurant has both a bar classics and an a la carte menu. There is an enclosed beer garden for those warm summer days.
Yorkshire Heart Vineyard and Brewery produces award winning English wines and a range of quality easy drinking craft beers. Vineyard and Brewery tours are run throughout the year. It is also available to hire for weddings and parties. Events include a Spring Festival and a Christmas Fayre.
An interesting history of Nun Monkton and some fascinating information about how people have lived in the village over the years was written by Jane Wray, grandmother of Pete ("Sam") Wray. Thanks to Sam and Ulrike for permission to publish this here
Some nostalgic vintage photographs of the village can be seen here, courtesy of Nick Gaunt.