Ilton, Yorkshire
| Ilton | |
| Yorkshire North Riding | |
|---|---|
 Ilton | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SE191782 |
| Location: | 54°12’0"N, 1°42’36"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 50 |
| Post town: | Ripon |
| Postcode: | HG4 |
| Dialling code: | 01765 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North Yorkshire |
Ilton is a village in the North Riding of Yorkshire, two miles south-west of Masham and just north of the bounds of the the West Riding.
The parish of Ilton cum Pott had an estimated population of 50 in 2015.
History
The name of Ilton is recorded in the Domesday Book as Ilcheton, meaning "settlement of a man called Ylca".[1]
In the Middle Ages, Fountains Abbey held land in Ilton, and also had a grange at Pott, two and a half west of Ilton. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, Sir Thomas Danby acquired the land at Pott, and in 1658 a later Sir Thomas Danby bought the Ilton land, which has since formed part of the Swinton estates.[2]
Although Ilton and Pott were detached from each other, they formed a single township in Mashamshire, the large ancient parish of Masham. Ilton cum Pott became a separate parish in 1866. In 1934 a large area of Masham Moor between the two parts of the parish was added to the parish.[3] In 1974 the parish was transferred to the new county of North Yorkshire.
Druids' Temple
Near the village is the Druids' Temple, a replica of Stonehenge built in about 1800 by William Danby of nearby Swinton Park.[4] During a time of agricultural depression and high unemployment, Danby hired local men to construct a moderately large-scale replica of Stonehenge, working at a full shilling a day. The result is a folly of national reputation. He was less successful in hiring a silent druidic hermit to fulfill a seven-year contract, though several tried, for the promised annuity. The folly is still owned by the Swinton Estate.
References
- ↑ Watts, Victor, ed. (2010), "Ilton NYorks", The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names, Cambridge University Press
- ↑ A History of the County of York: North Riding - Volume 1 pp 323-332: Parishes: Masham (Victoria County History)
- ↑ "Vision of Britain: Masham Moor". http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10448062.
- ↑ National Heritage List 1132035: Druid's Temple (Grade II listing)
