All Saints Church, Rudston, near Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO25 4UF
Rudston Monolith
Prehistoric
Source image
5.2
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.2A towering prehistoric stone stands among the gravestones at Rudston, making an arresting meeting of ancient monument and churchyard. It is described by the supplied research as the tallest standing stone in Britain, at about 7.6 metres high.
Rudston Monolith earns its place for the unusual scale of a prehistoric monument encountered in a village churchyard, with a wider landscape of Wolds walks and prehistoric earthworks to explore. It is a focused heritage stop rather than a destination that needs an inflated full-day itinerary.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Quirky
Find your way
Open mapAll Saints Church, Rudston, near Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO25 4UF
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Come for the scale and setting of the stone, then take time to notice how it stands in relation to the church and the surrounding memorials. If you want a longer outing, a published local walk links the village and monolith with Wolds views and prehistoric features; verify current route conditions and access before setting out.
Things to do
See the monolith in its churchyard setting
View the tall standing stone among the churchyard memorials and notice the contrast in scale. Follow any churchyard signs and check access before visiting.
Under 1 hour
Walk the Zigzag Plantation and Rudston route
A published 3.7-mile walk, described as taking about 1.5 hours, combines Wolds views with Rudston and prehistoric landscape features. The route source notes that paths can be muddy; check current route details before setting out.
About 1.5 hours
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A close look at the monolith
- 01
Check that the churchyard is accessible before travelling.
- 02
Visit the churchyard and view the monolith from permitted paths.
- 03
Take in the contrast between the tall prehistoric stone and the churchyard around it.
Half day · About 1.5 hours for the published walk; 3.7 miles
Monolith and Wolds walk
- 01
Check the route description and access conditions before setting out.
- 02
Follow the published Zigzag Plantation and Rudston route from Rudston village.
- 03
Take in the Wolds views and the route’s references to prehistoric tumuli and other landscape history.
- 04
Visit the monolith in the village churchyard if it is accessible.
Verified history
The supplied research identifies the monolith as a prehistoric standing stone, about 7.6 metres high, and describes it as the tallest standing stone in Britain. The reason it was erected is unknown in the supplied material. A local walk account also describes prehistoric tumuli in the surrounding landscape. These claims are supported here by visitor and walking sources rather than an official heritage record.
When to go
· No specific best time is established by the supplied sources; check churchyard access before visiting.
The supplied research does not establish a seasonal highlight for the monolith.
Weather and ground conditions may affect the longer walking route; its published description notes that paths can be muddy.
Worth pairing with
Zigzag Plantation and Rudston walk
A published 3.7-mile route from Rudston village, described as taking about 1.5 hours, with Wolds views and prehistoric landscape features. Check route conditions and access before setting out.
What to look for
Look at the stone’s height beside the much smaller gravestones and churchyard features. The supplied research describes it as roughly 7.6 metres tall. The church and stone form a striking contrast, but the reason the prehistoric stone was erected is not established by the supplied sources.
The story
Prehistoric archaeology
Best time to go
Any season; check churchyard access before travelling.
No season-specific advantage is established by the supplied sources. Check churchyard access before travelling.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The monolith stands in the churchyard of All Saints Church. Visitor accounts describe visiting it, but current access arrangements and churchyard opening are not independently confirmed; check before visiting and respect any notices or services. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking availability and arrangements are not verified. Do not treat the map pin as an entrance or parking location; check locally before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Check before visiting and follow churchyard signs.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Path surfaces, steps and wheelchair access are not verified. Check before visiting.
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Cost
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Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Rudston Monolith
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
