Felixkirk: Village Church, Howe Hill and Architectural History

Felixkirk brings together medieval church architecture, a distinctive hill in the village centre and several listed buildings. Its details range from a chancel arch with unusual ornamentation to a former schoolhouse now used as a village hall. These different facets of the village’s architectural and local history offer several ways to get to know the place.

Discover church history through its details

The Church of St Felix brings together architectural features and furnishings from different periods. The nave and chancel date from the 12th to 13th centuries; the chancel arch is dated to around 1125 and bears zigzag and beakhead ornamentation. The apse was restored and rebuilt in 1859–1860 by W Dykes. The church also has an organ built in 1890. These dates help distinguish medieval elements from later work, without reducing the church’s history to a single building phase.

Memorials are also among the church’s surviving details: it contains the tomb of William de Cantilupe, who died in 1309. Another effigy, attributed to the early 14th century, depicts Eva, the daughter of Sir Adam of Boltby. Together, such individual details connect architecture, ornament and people from different periods to the place.

Howe Hill: shape, location and classification

Howe Hill stands on the ridge of a prominent rise in the centre of the village. It is dome-shaped, measures 10 metres in diameter and is about 1.5 metres high. These measurements give its shape a tangible scale. At the same time, describing the hill as a motte is considered incorrect, so its shape should not be equated with its archaeological classification.

The hill is considered to be well preserved. Although tree roots may have disturbed the archaeological deposits, its contents, including burials, are thought to remain intact. This assessment adds another aspect to the visible details of its location and size: Howe Hill is not only a feature of the village centre, but also a place of archaeological significance.

Listed buildings in the village

Felixkirk is home to the stable block at Mount St John, a Grade II listed building. The date of 1746 is attributed to Pevsner. Its building material is described as regularly coursed sandstone; the herringbone patterning further describes the treatment of the surface. The material and pattern give the building a distinctive architectural character alongside the older features at the Church of St Felix.

The former school in Felixkirk is also Grade II listed. Its centrally projecting entrance porch has a chamfered, Tudor-arched entrance. The building is now used as a village hall; if its use matters to your plans, check its current status locally. The stable block and former school draw attention to different types of buildings, adding further facets of the village to the history of its church and hill.

Village history, a cycle route and finding accommodation

For a different kind of trip planning, National Cycle Route 65 is relevant: it runs near the North York Moors and passes Felixkirk. Routes can change, so check the current route and conditions before setting off. The Carpenters Arms inn in Felixkirk offers overnight accommodation. It also serves a meal to visitors exploring the North York Moors.

When looking for a holiday rental, consider what matters most for your stay: the village’s architectural history, a cycle ride along Route 65, or exploring the North York Moors. These interests offer different starting points for your choice without needing to be combined into a single itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Gilling East, Rillington, Wykeham, Colton, Great Edstone, Burniston, Thornton Watlass, Skipton

For the wider travel overview: North Yorkshire.