East Ayton is a village and civil parish in the county of North Yorkshire, England.
According to the 2011 UK census, East Ayton parish had a population of 1,678, a reduction on the 2001 UK census figure of 1,687.
The name Ayton derives from the Old English ēatūn meaning 'settlement on a river'.
Forge Valley C.C., the local cricket club for East and West Ayton, were the national Village Cup champions in 1986, winning the competition at Lord's.
Geography and history
East Ayton lies towards the foot of the Tabular Hills, on the south-eastern edge of the North York Moors National Park. The village adjoins West Ayton, from which it is separated by the River Derwent.
A crossing of the Derwent between East and West Ayton existed before 1492. The present stone bridge was built in 1752, with a newer level bridge constructed alongside it in 1961.
The historic core of East Ayton is centred on Castlegate and the Church of St John the Baptist, which occupies a prominent position beside the A170. The historic part of the village was designated a conservation area in 1995.
The settlement developed in a largely linear form along the A170 and Castlegate. Much of the later 20th-century housing lies outside the National Park boundary, extending on either side of the A170.
The East and West Ayton Conservation Area contains a number of designated heritage assets. The North York Moors National Park Authority identifies the Church of St John the Baptist, Ayton Castle, Ayton Bridge and the former railway station among the important historic features of the two villages.
Transport
The A170 road passes through East Ayton, linking the village with Scarborough to the east and Pickering to the west.
The former Pickering to Seamer railway ran immediately south of the historic village. The line opened in 1882 and passenger services ceased in 1950. The nearby Forge Valley railway station served East Ayton, West Ayton and the surrounding Forge Valley area. Part of the former railway alignment now forms the boundary of the North York Moors National Park in the Ayton area.
Notable people John Fendley, aka Fenners of Soccer AM fame, grew up in the village and was a pupil at Raincliffe School.
Gavin Williamson MP, a former Secretary of State for Defence, was raised in East Ayton and attended the local primary school.
See also Listed buildings in East Ayton
References
External links