As I arrived in Pickering, the late autumn sun was illuminating a church spire that rose above the town. It shone golden against a sky black with the threat of rain. The sight lured me up a narrow alley to the graveyard where I found a haven of peace, away from traffic noise.
The warm stone of the Church of St Peter and St Paul was deeply weathered by age. The Saxon structure proved even more magical inside. Above arches running down either side of the nave, medieval paintings brought the walls alive with vivid depictions of Bible scenes.
No one had mentioned this treasure when I’d asked friends what sights I should see on this trip. Later I discovered that this was probably because there are so many fascinating old buildings and ruins along the south edge of the North York Moors. Each place we visited added another piece to the jigsaw of the area’s long history, stretching from Roman times through the Normans and Tudors to the present day.
It was tempting to linger and soak up the tranquil ambience, but I was watching the time. I’d been told a steam train would be arriving at Pickering station
