Part 3

As you enter Burghwallis you will note on your right the stone that marks the site of the “Plague Well” where villagers were obliged to wash any trace of the plague from their money before handing it to salesmen; A medieval form of money laundering. Turn left at the road junction and walk along Grange Lane.

As you walk along the road you can marvel at the fact this section of Burghwallis, according to planners has one of the most beautiful “village-scapes” in the UK. On your left you will pass St Helen’s church set down a lane. This church traces back to Anglo Saxon times and is listed as an ancient monument. Next to the church is Burghwallis Hall, a grade I listed building and one time seat of the Anne family the local laird. Since the 1960’s it became a convent, then a nursing home and looks set to be sold.

Head along Grange lane past the Grange “Houses” that were once a staging post for coaches traveling along the Great North Road (A1) that lies a mile away to the north of the village.

Turn left down Old Village Street after 50 yards turn left again then down the lane on your right is the old village pump that served the entire village. This is the old part of the village where the houses are around 400 – 500 years old. Walk back 30 yards along old village street, and turn down Well Lane on your right. At the bottom of this lane (50 yards) you will see the Ancient Pinfold used to collect stray farm animals before being collected by the farmers (after a fee to the parish was paid, and you thought parking tickets were a new idea)

Walk back up to Old Village street and turn left and in 50 yards re-join Grange lane as the road twists past the war memorial a grade II listed building, walk straight on then in 200 yards you arrive back at Scorcher Hills Lane. Turn right, then first right into the pub car park, which may still be open!