Is Shandy Hall open in winter?

No. It opens from May to September. In 2026 it reopened on 1 May, and 2027 dates had not been published when we checked.

What did Laurence Sterne write at Shandy Hall?

Most of Tristram Shandy and all of A Sentimental Journey, between 1760 and 1768.

Where do you park in Coxwold?

There is free on-street parking in the village and limited parking at Shandy Hall. There is no formal car park.

Villages & Places

Coxwold

By Jon Cosson · Updated 29 October 2026 · Checked 29 October 2026

Coxwold is a pale sandstone village on a hill between the Hambleton and Howardian Hills, on the south western edge of the North York Moors National Park, about 7 miles south east of Thirsk. It is known for Shandy Hall, where Laurence Sterne wrote most of Tristram Shandy, for St Michael's Church with its octagonal tower, and for Newburgh Priory just to the south.

Before you go: the practical facts

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Parking: the National Park says there is free parking in the village and limited parking at Shandy Hall (YO61 4AD). There is no formal public car park. Park considerately and keep off the grass banks.
Toilets: no public toilets are listed. Shandy Hall has an accessible toilet for visitors.
Shop and cash: Easingwold and Thirsk are the nearest towns for shops and cash.
Buses: the 31X links York, Easingwold, Coxwold, Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside, Monday to Saturday, three or four times a day. Moorsbus ran summer weekend services in 2026 and hopes to run again from Easter 2027.
Nearest railway station: Thirsk.
Dogs: on a short lead in the Shandy Hall gardens; only assistance dogs inside the Hall.

A short history

Coxwold's layout has changed little since the Middle Ages: a wide, sloping main street with grass banks and cobbles climbing to St Michael's Church, built about the mid 15th century with its unusual octagonal west tower. Sir John Hart, Lord Mayor of London, founded a free grammar school here in 1603, now the Old Hall. Almshouses for old men were founded on the village street in the 17th century. The Thirsk to Malton railway ran through the village until 1964.

Shandy Hall

Shandy Hall began as a medieval hall house of about 1450 and is listed Grade I. Laurence Sterne came to Coxwold as perpetual curate in 1760 and lived here until his death in 1768. In the study he wrote the remaining seven volumes of Tristram Shandy and A Sentimental Journey. The Laurence Sterne Trust bought the house in 1968 and opened it as a museum in 1973. It has two acres of gardens, including a wild garden in an old quarry.

Opening

Shandy Hall and its gardens open from May to September only. The house is seen by guided tour at 11.30am and 2.30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays; the gardens open Wednesday to Sunday and bank holidays, 11am to 4.30pm. Admission is charged. It is closed for winter 2026 to 2027. In 2026 it reopened on 1 May; the Trust had not published 2027 dates when we checked.

Newburgh Priory

half a mile south of the village, Newburgh Priory stands on the site of an Augustinian priory linked to a grant by Roger de Mowbray in 1145. The house remains a family home and opens to the public in April, May and June, with occasional extra open days such as 31 August; check its website.

Walks

the Howardian Hills National Landscape publishes an easy trail from a lay-by beside the lake at Newburgh Priory: 3 miles there and back on a quiet tarmac lane with views of Byland Abbey, with no stiles. A shorter 1.2 mile version suits most wheelchairs and pushchairs. The lay-by takes about six cars.

Where to eat and drink

The Fauconberg Arms: 17th century inn on the main street; food Monday to Saturday noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm, Sunday noon to 3pm and 4.30pm to 6.30pm (the pub's own site); dog friendly according to CAMRA. Coxwold Tearooms: winter hours Thursday to Sunday plus bank holiday Mondays, 10am to 4pm; check before a special trip.

Nearby

Coxwold FAQs

Is Shandy Hall open in winter?: No. It opens from May to September. In 2026 it reopened on 1 May, and 2027 dates had not been published when we checked.
What did Laurence Sterne write at Shandy Hall?: Most of Tristram Shandy and all of A Sentimental Journey, between 1760 and 1768.
Where do you park in Coxwold?: There is free on-street parking in the village and limited parking at Shandy Hall. There is no formal car park.
Can you visit Newburgh Priory?: Yes, in April, May and June, with occasional extra open days such as 31 August; check its website.

Sources checked 29 October 2026: Laurence Sterne Trust; North York Moors National Park (Shandy Hall; design code); Historic England list entry 1315184; British History Online; Newburgh Priory; Howardian Hills National Landscape, Newburgh Priory easy trail; Coxwold village website; The Fauconberg Arms; CAMRA WhatPub; Moorsbus.

Where to stay in the North York Moors

Self-catering cottages, village inns and farmhouse boltholes right across the moors, from the southern villages to the coast.

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