We hope that you find the information below useful. Please address comments to further improve the visitor experience to info@levishampm.uk.

Our lovely village is in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. The park is a special place, with the greatest expanse of heather moorland in the UK. Find out more at North York Moors National Park.

In brief, there are many listed buildings within the village and a stroll up the broad Main Street is recommended. As you progress you will pass the village hall which is available for private hire (please ring 01751 460358). At the top of the village, you will find the local hostelry, the Horseshoe Inn, offering excellent meals. Children and dogs are welcome. For opening times and further details horseshoe.

To the left-hand (west) side of the inn is the village pound (or pinfold) where stray animals were impounded. In front of the pound is a grassy area with trees around the perimeter which was the village pond. And then in front of the pond is the village church, St John the Baptist. Originally a 19th century chapel of ease until the church in the valley fell out of use.

A longer tour can be found here Long Tour

There are details of local walks of the surrounding area at the bottom of this page.

For details of services, activities and events please visit the Parish News page.

Pictures of the village can be found in the gallery.

Below further details are provided of the following places of interest:

• Church in the Valley (Church Ruins) The original Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, in the valley between Lockton and Levisham, is now a ruin.
• Levisham Station Levisham railway station is a station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR).
• Skelton Tower The ruins of Skelton Tower provide a fantastic view down into Newtondale and over the track of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
• Levisham Moor Levisham Moor runs through a landscape rich in archaeological remains.
• Hole of Horcum One of the most spectacular features in the National Park.

The original Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, in the valley between Lockton and Levisham, is now a ruin. Archaeological and documentary evidence suggests that the first Church on the site was built in the early Norman period, though various pieces of carved stone have been found from Saxon times. The grave slab incised with a sword (which can be seen in the ruins of the chancel) may be that of Ralph de Bolbeck, a thirteenth century lord who had lands at both Lockton and Levisham. He may have built the Church in this spot to serve both his manors.

Since the 1950s, the chapel of ease, dedicated to St John the Baptist, has been the Parish Church of Levisham. Services now no longer take place in St Mary’s, though the graveyard remains the burial ground for the village to this day. A service is, however, held outside the grounds of the ruins each year in July, and the Church is a popular attraction to visitors and walkers.

More information can be found here The-Church-of-St-Mary-the-Virgin

Levisham railway station is a station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) and serves the village of Levisham but be warned it is about a mile and a steep climb to the village from the station.

Levisham Station surrounded by the North York Moors is a 1912 styled railway station. During weekends, bank holidays and special events the Weighbridge Tea Hut is open serving tasty snacks and drinks to visitors, walkers and cyclists.

NYMR have a full diary of events - steam galas, Railway in Wartime and Santa Specials to name a few - see www. nymr.co.uk

The ruins of Skelton Tower provide a fantastic view down into Newtondale and over the track of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Built around 1830 by Robert Skelton, rector of Levisham, it was once used as overnight lodgings after a day's shooting on the moors. The grassy headland is a wonderful spot for a picnic, and you'll hear the whistle of the steam trains below in plenty of time for a photograph.

Levisham Moor runs through a landscape rich in archaeological remains – the moor itself is the largest ancient monument in the North York Moors. Half-hidden in the heather are traces of human occupation stretching back thousands of years, from Bronze Age barrows to late Iron Age boundary dykes. These mounds, ditches, banks and ridges are evidence of burial sites, fortified farmsteads, enclosures and field systems – hard to spot at first glance but obvious once identified.

In medieval times, a monastic sheep farm (or bercary) was established at the head of Dundale Griff, and the foundations of stone buildings can still be seen. Dundale Pond and Skelton Tower and many other features can be found on the moor.

The Hole of Horcum is one of the most spectacular features in the National Park – a huge natural amphitheatre 400 feet deep and more than half a mile across. Legends hang easily upon a place known as the 'Devil's Punchbowl' – the best-known says that it was formed when Wade the Giant scooped up a handful of earth to throw at his wife during an argument (Blakey Topping is where it landed).

It was actually created by a process called spring-sapping, whereby water welling up from the hillside has gradually undermined the slopes above, eating the rocks away grain by grain. Over thousands of years, a once narrow valley has widened and deepened into an enormous cauldron – and the process still continues today.

The Lockton & Levisham Heritage Group produced a series of leaflets with details of local walks which include interesting historical information. These can be viewed here:-

Levisham and Dundale Pond 2.2 miles

Levisham and Valley Church 2.2 miles

Lockton and Farwath 3.5 miles

Levisham Skelton Tower and Levisham Station 4.5 miles

Lockton and Staindale 5.5 miles

Lockton and High Bridestones 6.0 miles

Alternatively armed with Ordnance Survey OS Map OL27 you will find a wealth of footpaths and bridleways to create your own walk around the beautiful valleys, woods, or moorlands. Click on the links below for a sample of well-trodden routes.

Levisham-Station-circular-walk-(4-miles)

Levisham-and-Lockton-walk-(5.5-miles)

Levisham-Newton (7 miles)