Between Bridlington And York Is A Medieval Village With Scenic Trails, Countryside Views, And Historic Charm

Yorkshire in Northern England has some delightful destinations, like the charming coastal town of Bridlington and York with its impressive cathedral. When you're exploring this part of the U.K., you might be tempted to visit just these larger hubs. However, you'd be missing out on some of the region's places of quieter beauty and history, like you can find in Fridaythorpe. This small village has just over 300 residents, and it's about a 35-minute drive west from Bridlington and about the same distance east of York. While it may not have big city amenities, Fridaythorpe does have a rich history and beautiful surroundings. It's the highest village in the Yorkshire Wolds, a series of rolling chalk hills in this part of East Yorkshire. From both the village and trails, you'll find great views over the surrounding countryside.

The village was recorded in the Domesday Book, a survey of the country by William the Conqueror and published in 1086, with just a few households. Then in the 12th century, St. Mary's Church was built in what would become the heart of this little town. Over the next several centuries, the church was renovated and expanded, and it is still active today. Its medieval architectural elements are worth a visit alone, including the chancel arch and grand stone door. A more modern feature is the clock tower with the inscription "Time is short: Eternity is long" painted on it, giving churchgoers and visitors a stark reminder to be present in the moment and appreciate what you have.

Fridaythorpe's St. Mary's Church is one of 18 churches on the Sykes Churches Trail in Yorkshire. Sir Tatton Sykes and his son were instrumental in helping to fund the restoration and building of churches in the area from around the mid-1850s to the early 1900s. You can drive or bike to all the churches, a unique way to explore the area's history as well as its natural beauty. If you'd rather explore the region on foot, you can use St. Mary's Church and the nearby pond as a trailhead of sorts. From here, there's a 6.8-mile loop hike that takes you past Fridaythorpe's picturesque pond and through the hills and valleys to the neighboring town of Huggate and back.

If you're looking for a multi-day, long-distance hike, Fridaythorpe is the halfway point on the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail. This 79-mile-long trail begins in Hessle and ends in Filey, a Victorian coastal town with a sandy beach and gardens. It's particularly pretty during early summer when the poppies are in bloom. Even better, you don't have to hike the full 79 miles to experience the landscape. The sections around Fridaythorpe take you up and down the valleys that typify this area. As you explore, you'll see why British artist David Hockney was so enchanted by it, painting it often. He described the Yorkshire Wolds by saying, "It might look as though there's nothing going on, but it's full of action. It's always full of action," according to the Van Gogh Museum. Slow down to appreciate the subtle things like the play of light and the movement of grasses in the wind.

Along the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail, you'll find the WANDER art trail, a series of large-scale, site-specific pieces, including earthworks inspired by Bronze Age burial grounds and "poetry benches" with quotes from John Wedgewood Clarke. One of the WANDER pieces is in Fridaythorpe itself, and you can also hike about a 7.5-mile round trip out and back to the Waves and Time installation — a pattern of swirls in the earth — near Thixendale.

While many visit Fridaythorpe on a day trip, you can stay the night. The Manor Inn dates back to the 17th century and has six comfy rooms. This is also the town pub, which means that even if you don't book overnight, you can always pop in for a pint, dinner, or a tasty Sunday lunch. For breakfast and lunch in Fridaythorpe, there's Seaways Café. Established in 1974, the menu features a full English breakfast along with classic dishes like sausage rolls and steak and kidney pie. Seaways doubles as a glamping spot. You can book one of the cozy "pods," a tent campsite, or the larger bungalow with room for 11.

To get to Fridaythorpe and around this part of Yorkshire, you'll need a car. In fact, Rick Steves recommends a rental car for getting the most out of a trip to rural England. The closest major airport is in Leeds. The drive takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. If you're coming up from London, it will take you 4.5 to 5 hours by car. Once you've made it to East Yorkshire, another fun spot to visit is Nafferton, a quiet village with charming pubs. It's less than a 20-minute drive east from Fridaythorpe