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	The Area Sawley Village enjoys a glorious rural setting in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty minutes from Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Estate, a National Trust World Heritage Site. From this central geographic position, the Yorkshire Dales to the west and the North Yorkshire Moors and coast to the east are within easy reach. Numerous possibilities for a day out may include: Touring: The Yorkshire Dales or Moors and see the unforgettable beauty of this area. National Trust properties: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Brimham Rocks, Benningbrough Hall or Nunnington HallFine country houses: Newby Hall, Harewood House, Castle Howard and Ripley Castle.Rural market towns: Ripon, Masham, Leyburn, Skipton and Thirsk.Historic cities: York (45 minutes), Harrogate (20 minutes), Whitby and the coast (1 hour 30 minutes)Racing: regular meetings are held at; Ripon, Thirsk, York, Wetherby, and Catterick. A Brief History Sawley lies 6 miles to the West of Ripon, near to the ruins of Fountains Abbey and the famous Studley Water Gardens and Deer Park.   It is said that most of the stone used to build the Abbey was quarried at Sawley. Sawley takes its name from the willow tree, which was clearly prolific in the area in times past.   The village dates back to Saxon times.   Sawley was, and still is, a farming community, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  It sits within a landscape of rolling hills and moorland beyond, with a picturesque village green and wildlife garden attached.   There are many ancient and more recent footpaths in and around Sawley, which will take walkers through exceptional and varied countryside, including the famous Ripon Rowel walk. Another attractive walk can be taken from Sawley to Fountains Abbey, which lies about 2 miles away along quiet lanes and woodland paths. From Fountains, the more energetic can take a pleasant walk across the fields to the market town of Ripon with its beautiful and historic cathedral.   The attractive church of St Michaels and All Angels consecrated in 1879, and replacing an older church built in1769,  is well worth a visit. It contains some exceptional Victorian stained glass windows and the present pulpit, alter table, alter rails and porch were made from the box pews from the original church. The clock on the side of the church was installed to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Silver Jubilee in 1887.   Part of the present day Sawley Village Hall was originally the village school, which dates back to the 1790s. It ceased to be a school in 1989 and the village hall was added to the original building and opened in 1995.   The Parish Room situated on the village green was built in 1900.  During the second world war the name ’Sawley’ was removed from the stone plaque on the front of the Parish Room, so invaders would have no knowledge of the village they were entering. The Parish Room originally served as a library, reading room and was also a space for recreational activities.  Village records were also stored here. It is now a private house, retaining all its original features.   The village pump, situated on the village green, was installed in 1909. Prior to this, all water had to be carried from spring wells just outside the village. In 1905, 19 men voted against Harrogate Corporation’s offer to supply piped water to the village. This caused great concern to the womenfolk of the village, who were mainly responsible for carrying the water from the wells. It wasn’t until 1963, that piped water finally came to Sawley, 60 years after that first offer from Harrogate.   Sawley hosts a wide range of events throughout the year including an annual ‘Green Festival’ in June and a ‘Jazz on the Green’ afternoon in May. Weekly and monthly events are designed to provide entertainment for all ages.
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