Hawnby

Village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England

Hawnby became the first village in England to have all of the buildings switch from normal lights to dark skies friendly lighting in an effort to cut light pollution. Both the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks were awarded dark sky status in 2020.

The village is in the Thirsk and Malton UK Parliament constituency. It is in the Kirkbymoorside electoral division of North Yorkshire County Council and the Helmsley ward of Ryedale District Council.

The village sits at the junction of several small roads at the head of two valleys, close to the B1257 road between Oswaldkirk and Stokesley. The nearest settlements are Boltby 3.7 mile (6 km) to the south west; Old Byland 2.3 mile (4 km) to the south and Fangdale Beck 3.4 mile (5 km) to the north. It lies between Ladwith Beck and the River Rye at an elevation of around 500 feet (152 m) above sea level. The 2011 Census showed a reduced population of 217.

There is an Anglican church dedicated to All Saints in the village, built in the 12th century and a Grade II listed Building. It stands on the banks of the River Rye. There is also a Wesleyan Chapel founded in 1770, following a visit from John Wesley and rebuilt in 1814. It too is a Grade II Listed Building.

Arden Hall just to the west of the village is a Grade II Listed Building and is the seat of the Earls of Mexborough. Previously it had been the seat of the Tancred family for at least 300 years. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed here briefly en route to her execution. In addition to Arden Hall and the two churches, there are 33 other Listed Buildings in and around the area, including Church Bridge and Laskill Bridge.