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| Google Earth view of Hollin Hill and Airyholme farm - 2002 |
Airyholme is located on the Howardian Hills, 1.5 miles to the south of
Hovingham, and 6 miles west of Malton.
"Airyholme with Howthorpe and Baxton Howe" is the rather long
winded name of a township in the Hovingham parish. The township consists of
just 4 farms, and its name appears to be derived from the ancient burial
mounds in this area. In the early 1900's, the author Rev. Arthur St Clair
Brooke described the Hovingham parish, and specifically mentions Airyholme
...
"Airyholme. This last is an interesting word. It is written Ergunholme in
Domesday, and is derived from Horgum, plaural of Horg, old Norse for a
sacrificial stone. The word is seen in transition in Dodsworth's Notes where
it is written Arg-holme. Airyholme is therefore the holme near the
sacrificial stones. Opposite the place, to the north, is a knoll of green
grass, called Hollin Hill, on the side of which are some huge flat stones,
the upper- most resting on a roller of old oak. They have all the appearance
of having once formed a heathen altar, and the fine old oaks which grow on
the hillside help to confirm the impression. "
(Brooke,1904).
