Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village
Malton, North Yorkshire
The most famous deserted medieval village in Britain, free, reached with your dog by a three quarter mile walk down into a remote Wolds valley.
Wharram Percy is the most intensively studied deserted medieval village in Britain and one of the largest and best preserved of the 3,000 or so known. For over sixty years archaeologists pioneered new excavation techniques here to work out what village life was actually like and why the place was eventually abandoned. You get the ruined shell of St Martin's church, the outline of manor houses and peasant tofts in the grass, and a millpond.
Whilst you read the village out of the earthworks, your dog gets the walk in, which is the point: about three quarters of a mile from the car park down a track into a remote and genuinely beautiful Wolds valley, with the Yorkshire Wolds Way nearby.
Free and open any reasonable time during daylight hours, with a £2 parking charge for non-members. The site has no published dog policy. The valley is grazed farmland with sheep, so keep your dog on a lead and close gates. There are no facilities, and the track can be very muddy in winter.
At a Glance
- Site Type
- Medieval & Tudor
- Entry
- Free
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
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Planning Your Visit
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village dog friendly?
Wharram Percy has no published dog policy, but in practice it's a great place to bring a dog — the appeal is partly the walk itself, a three quarter mile trek down a track into a remote and beautiful Yorkshire Wolds valley. The site is free to visit and open during daylight hours, with just a £2 parking charge for non-members. Bear in mind that the surrounding valley is grazed farmland with sheep, so your dog will need to be kept on a lead throughout.
Are dogs allowed at Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village year round?
The site is open any reasonable time during daylight hours throughout the year, so there's no seasonal restriction on visits with your dog. That said, it's worth knowing that the track down into the valley can get very muddy in winter, so boots and a towel for your dog are a good idea if you're visiting in the colder months.
What should I know before visiting Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village with my dog?
The valley is working farmland grazed by sheep, so keeping your dog on a lead and closing all gates as you go is essential. There are no facilities on site — no toilets, café, or water — so come prepared. The track from the car park is roughly three quarters of a mile each way and can be muddy in winter, and the Yorkshire Wolds Way passes nearby if you want to extend the walk.
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