Newburgh Priory is a house full of surprises. Originally an Augustinian order, it was founded in the 12th century. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538, the priory and its lands were bought by the Bellasis family.

The priory was converted into living accommodation and passed through the Bellasis family who took the title of Fauconberg in the 17th century. Eventually it was passed on through marriage to the Wombwell family who are still the owners and guardians of this superb house.

As you are delightfully guided around the house, you will find many surprises, from the dour Black Gallery to the almost jolly Justice Room. There is a gory surprise awaiting you at the top of the stairs where you will find some of Oliver Cromwell’s remains.

Mary, Countess of Fauconberg, was Oliver Cromwell’s daughter. After his death and beheading, she brought his headless remains to Newbrough where today they rest in the tomb.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the house is the unfinished room, for that is exactly what it is. There was a serious fire in the room in the mid-18th century where a maid was left to burn. It is thought she could have been saved by Henry, the Viscount’s son, but he deserted her to save his own skin.

Eventually she was rescued with severe burns from which she died, but not before putting a curse on the room and the family who left her to burn.

The curse is the reason why the room is unfinished, but I think you should visit the house to find out why. It might just surprise you.


Your route

Start from the Worsley Arms Hotel and keeping it on your left, head out of the village following signs for Slingsby and Malton.

Immediately after the acute left bend, turn right signed to Sheriff Hutton and York up a steep hill. When the hill decreases you have grand views across to the right.

Continue along to soon descend quite steeply through a wood, followed by a long shallow climb to a sharp right bend. Quite a twisty road now, then another descent through trees, followed by another shallow climb. As you crest the hill, turn right at the grassy triangle signed to Dalby and Easingwold.

A narrow, twisty road now with steep, slippery descents and ascents to eventually ride along the ridge with great views.

On the way you pass by the Dalby Turf Maze, which is called The City of Troy, a medieval form of entertainment. It was believed that a maze of this kind was a cure for various ailments if you walked around it nine times in an anti-clockwise direction. However, according to local tradition, if you walk the maze more than nine times bad luck will come your way.

Cycle along, enjoying the views from your high vantage point. Watch-out for a sharp right bend before turning left uphill along a narrow road.

Keep an eye out for acute, slippery bends along here and soon you start to descend with views across to York Minster in the distance. Pass a couple of farms, then at the T-junction, turn right to soon arrive at Brandsby.

At the next T-junction, turn left signed to Stillington and York, then in a couple of hundred yards, turn right signed to Crayke and Easingwold. Take care on this twisty road as some of the corners are severe. You will soon see the hilltop village of Crayke in the distance and if you fancy a break, look out for a farmhouse garden centre on the left which has a tea room.

Climb the hill into Crayke, then opposite the Durham Ox Inn, turn right uphill past the church and old castle. An undulating road now with views across to the White Horse of Kilburn to the right.

At the crossroads, keep straight ahead signed to Coxwold and Oulston. Another undulating, twisty road now leading to Oulston. Cycle through the village following signs for Coxwold, then ride down a long hill with the White Horse standing proud in front of you. Negotiate some sharp bends, then descend down to the entrance gates to Newburgh Priory.

If the priory is open, a visit is highly recommended. Continue along past the priory and its lake and at the end of the lake, turn right along a very narrow road at the farm bed and breakfast sign. Take care on this enjoyable country road with its grassy centre mound.

You will eventually pass through a gate. Cycle along the road as it passes through a field, then exit through another gate bearing left. Not far now to the main road. Go right here uphill, then downhill through the wood. At the crossroads, turn left signed to Gilling and Helmsley. At the next crossroads, go straight ahead signed to Hovingham and Malton and follow this road for several miles without deviation to return to Hovingham.

View a map of the Newburgh Priory cycle ride>>