Stunning abandoned village with a dark past remains a mystery 500 years on

A chilling discovery was made at the site that left experts feeling uneasy.

The village had people living there for about 500 years without a break, with a grand stone church at its centre.

Now, this once-thriving place is a “ghost village” - only the ruins of the church and some nearby fields are left. It’s said to hide “a secret so grisly you’ll hardly believe it.”

Image of Wharram Percy — Image credit: Photo © **Paul Allison** (cc-by-sa/2.0)

In 15th-century Yorkshire, wool was like gold. Wharram Percy, a farming village between York and Scarborough, had existed since at least the 10th century. But during this time, fewer people were living there.

The farmers paid small rents to the local lord, William Hylton, but wool could make him more money. So, by around 1500, he had removed the last of his tenants, though a few farmers and shepherds stayed behind.

One man who refused to leave died when his house fell in on him. By 1527, the land that once grew crops had been turned into pastures for sheep.

You can still see the outlines of some of the old houses around the ruined church. For years, archaeologists have explored the area, learning how people used to live there.

Many objects and clues have been found, but one discovery in the 1960s shocked everyone. While digging, experts found a pit filled with human bones. What made it strange was where it was located.

It was far from the church and its graveyard — a place where villagers should have been buried — and no one could explain why the bodies were there.

English Heritage calls Wharram Percy “the best” medieval village in the UK, and its quiet setting makes getting there feel like an adventure.

You can reach it by driving six miles along the B1248 through the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Wolds. Then, turn right near the top of the road, where you’ll find lovely views and a narrow lane that leads to the English Heritage car park.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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