St Nicholas's Church

Medieval Grosmont, with its stone castle founded by Hubert de Burgh in the 13th century and site of the birth of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster in the early 14th century, was an important medieval lordship. Cadw records that the scale of the "great cruciform church mark(ed) the important standing of Grosmont during the early medieval period. The church was constructed in the early 13th century and the roof of the nave is datable to c.1232, making it the oldest scientifically datable roof in Wales. Tree-ring dating of the timbers show that they were felled in the period 1214–1244, which confirms the exceptionally early date of the roof's construction. The church remains an active…

The church is a "noble Early English building crowned by an octagonal Decorated tower and spire". Simon Jenkins considers the "ambitious cruciform plan" with octagonal tower to be "French" in inspiration. Cadw notes the tradition that the architect was French, employed by Eleanor of Provence but records that this "has no documentary basis". The church is built of Old Red Sandstone with ashlar dressings and slate roofs. It comprises the nave, transepts, the central tower, a chancel, a secondary chapel and a porch. The interior is "a shock to the modern visitor who encounters an uncluttered medieval interior dominated by the arcades and roof". The unfurnished nave demonstrates the "strong…