The Society exists to preserve and promote the fascinating history of our Estate Village and its surrounding buildings, area, customs and countryside. Coxwold, with its 1000+ years of recorded history, perpendicular-style Church with its unique tower, many listed buildings, close proximity to Byland Abbey and Newburgh Priory and its 18th century author Laurence Sterne, deserves no less.
In 2015 the Society was asked by the Village to revise the Coxwold Village Guide, which had been first printed in 1978. The result was a 20-page commercially printed illustrated booklet which lays out all the principal historical attractions of the Village and includes a map with pointers to other amenities, including the Fauconberg Arms. The Guide is available in the Church and at the pub, and also from the Secretary of the Local History Society, price £2.
The principal objectives of the Society are:
- To record as much local history as possible by interviewing long-time residents, ensuring that family records, photographs and memories are conserved for future generations.
- To establish and maintain the village archive with the intention of creating a database accessible through the website.
- To organise an on-going series of talks and guided tours in the village and surrounding countryside.
- To research and publish booklets/pamphlets on various aspects of Coxwold and village life. The new edition of the Coxwold Booklet is a recent example of this.
- To include and research 20th century as well as earlier history.
- To research and exhibit the history of Coxwold’s many listed buildings, people, trades and social development.
The Society meets on a Wednesday evening every two months with special event meetings held as occasion demands. There is no membership fee. To join, just come along to a meeting or event, or contact John Robinson (Secretary) on 01347 868122 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recent public events have included a talk on Byland Abbey, the launch of the new Coxwold Booklet, and a Joint History Exhibition with Husthwaite Local History Society.
A recent special event* was a Guided tour and talk on the Architecture of St. Michael’s Church, given by Phil Thomas, a recognised historian, author and lecturer on church architecture.
*In co-operation with The Laurence Sterne Trust.
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