The church and the wider landscape
All Saints Church, Aughton is in a small rural hamlet in East Yorkshire, at the end of a gated green lane, over looking the flood plains of the River Derwent which are internationally important.
The church is situated on part of the site of an ancient motte and bailey castle and the moats are still clearly visible and retain water during wet periods. The motte and bailey site, fishpond and moated site are all part of a Scheduled monument - ref 1007973.
At the base of the church tower there is an engraving of a Newt. In old English a Newt was also known as an Aske.
Boaz Holborne
To the left of the door is a grave to a Boaz Holborne which dates from 1710. The grave is individually listed with Historic England.
The flood plains are a designated National Nature Reserve, (NNR), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has RAMSAR designation. The fields beyond the church wall are allowed to flood as part of the flood alleviation plan for the Lower Derwent Valley giving the appearance that the church sits elevated on its own island.
After the floods recede, wild flowers bloom and then in July the grass is cut for hay. The Derwent Valley represents one of the most important examples of traditionally managed species-rich alluvial flood meadow habitat remaining in the UK. The river and these flood meadows play a substantial role in the hydrological and ecological functioning of the internationally important Humber basin
The Lower Derwent Valley contains nationally important levels of flora, fauna, birds and invertebrates. Research is currently being carried out into the numbers of migratory and wintering wildfowl and waders as part of the national Wetland Birds Survey (WeBS).
The picture is of a starling murmuration in November 2023 witnessed from the church yard over the flood meadows.
The fields beyond the church wall are allowed to flood as part of the flood defence plan for the Lower Derwent valley giving the appearance that the church sits elevated on its own island.
Historically the position of Aughton would have acted as a strategic defence position and a bridge crossing the river was located not far from the church between Aughton and Bubwith.
The aerial photograph above is by courtesy of Adrian Pinchbeck and shows how the annual floods come up through the meadows. This photograph was taken in February 2025, several weeks after the waters had started to recede. The river can be seen towards the top of the picture, having returned within the levies.