An octagonal stone shaft and a neighbouring stone trough give the Plague Cross its distinctive profile. Tradition links the cross to the plague of 1604 and a system of exchange: food was left outside the village, and money was placed in the trough. Alne also has listed buildings, traces of malting and a locally advertised market. The village therefore offers a perspective that ranges from historical accounts to contemporary travel interests such as culture, events and sport.
Local history: buildings, location and tradition
The Church of St Mary in Alne is a Grade I listed building; Alne Hall is Grade II listed. The Hall is a former manor house, situated on the site of a medieval country residence belonging to the treasurers of St Peter’s York. This residence is mentioned in 1301; an inventory of it dates from 1508. The two dates mark different points of reference: the mention of the residence and a later inventory. Alne Hall thus connects the history of an older site with its later description as a manor house.
At the Plague Cross, architectural details and tradition go hand in hand. The stone shaft is octagonal and stands on a low, chamfered base. A stone trough for disinfected water is located directly beside it. According to tradition, this arrangement was used for a system of exchange during the plague of 1604: food was left outside the village, while money was placed in the trough. Visitors interested in local history can therefore discover not just a date, but also a tangible insight into the tradition associated with the cross.
Malting and village history
The Maltings preserves original germination floors, steeping tanks and storage bins, as well as areas used to prepare the malt. There are also square kilns with their original fireplaces and perforated drying floors. This variety makes the site interesting for travellers interested in industrial history: the surviving features represent different stages of malting, from steeping and germination to kiln drying.
The Alne Village Hall offers a glimpse of another period. The building was formerly a village school and was built on glebe land in 1877. The village’s history therefore encompasses its former educational function as well as the medieval history of the site and traces of malting.
Markets, sport and events
The Alne Local and Fair Trade Market features fair-trade food and handicrafts; clothing is offered occasionally. Over time, locally made goods such as bread, cakes, garden produce, jewellery, cards and soaps have also been sold there. Market dates are arranged on an ad hoc basis and announced locally. If visiting the market is important to your trip, check in advance whether a market date falls during your stay.
Alne Recreational Field has three county-standard tennis courts, all three of which are floodlit. For specific visit plans, it is a good idea to check the latest information about the facilities, as details may change. The Alne Street Fayre is an annual fundraising event in aid of Alne’s recreational and sports field. If you would like to plan your trip around the Fayre, check the date and programme before travelling.
Plan your journey
Signposted turn-offs from the A19 lead to Alne; the approach then continues along Alne Main Street. As road signs may change, follow the current signposting when travelling. If you plan to continue by bus to Easingwold or York, check the latest services and timetables in advance.
Discover more destinations: Clapham, Hellifield, Burnsall, Hunmanby, Battersby, Huby, Newsham, Draughton.
For the broader travel overview: North Yorkshire.
