Lastingham is one of the most fascinating villages of the North Yorkshire Moors, its fine church and long Christian tradition drawing tourists and pilgrims alike. The crypt was built in 1078 as a shrine to St Cedd, a Lindisfarne monk who founded the first monastery here in AD654. The crypt is approached through St Mary's Parish Church.

"If Candlemass day be dry and fair,
The half of winter's yet to come, and more,
If Candlemass day be wet and foul,
The half of winter's gone at Yule"