Cottingham: Castle, Market and Historic Routes

Cottingham tells its story through a range of very different places: Baynard Castle, the parish church of St. Mary the Virgin, the Old Manor House and a market with a long tradition. There is also the Cottingham Circular, a walking route that passes through the centre and continues into parts of Skidby and Willerby. This gives you an interesting choice when planning your trip, between local history, a market visit, a longer walk and golf.

Baynard Castle and Cottingham’s architectural history

Baynard Castle is an important example of a magnate’s manor house. Its well-documented history includes visits by two English kings. This gives the site a historical dimension that goes beyond individual building remains. Remains of the outer moat can be seen in the front gardens of numbers 274–286 Hallgate. The property is privately owned and not open to the public—bear this restriction in mind when planning your stay.

The parish church of St. Mary the Virgin and the Old Manor House also make their own architectural contributions. The present church building dates from the 14th century. The Old Manor House is probably a 16th-century timber-framed house with brick infill: brickwork fills the spaces between the timber beams of the frame. Together, the two buildings show different historic construction methods, without requiring you to follow a long list of sights.

Another link to the past is Thwaite Gardens. They were formerly part of the gardens of Thwaite Hall, which were designated a Grade 2 garden of special historic interest. Their former association is important: it describes the gardens’ historical relationship with Thwaite Hall.

Market, circular walk and different day plans

A market is still held every Thursday on Market Green, with a history dating back to the 17th century. The market is therefore one of Cottingham’s enduring traditions. If you are interested in history, a free leaflet is also available for the Historic Cottingham Walk, a historic walking tour.

The Cottingham Circular is a different option: this walking route is nine miles, or 14 kilometres, long and passes through the centre of Cottingham as well as parts of Skidby and Willerby. Its length gives you a clear indication if you want a longer walk to be a key part of your stay. The leaflet for the historic walking tour offers a different way to explore the area. You can therefore focus on either a walking route or local history without treating the two options as the same.

Getting there and other interests

At Cottingham station, platform 2 towards Scarborough has step-free access. Platform 1 towards Hull can be reached via a footbridge; crossing the tracks is not suitable for wheelchair users. These differences are particularly relevant if you are planning your journey around a particular side of the station.

Golf is another possible focus: Cottingham Parks Golf & Leisure Club has two golf courses, Cottingham Parks and Skidby Lakes, as well as a driving range. When choosing a holiday cottage, you can first consider whether the market and architectural history, the 14-kilometre circular walk or golf will be the main focus of your stay. Cottingham offers several distinct themes, rather than letting a single activity determine your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Ulrome, Paull, Market Weighton, Barmby Moor, Withernsea, Thwing, Beverley, Patrington.

For the broader travel overview: East Riding Of Yorkshire.