Byland with Wass and Oldstead is a joint civil parish with approximately 220 inhabitants, which straddles the beautiful southern escarpment of the Hambleton Hills within the North York Moors National Park, close to Helmsley and Thirsk.

The Parish is overflowing with ecclesiastical history. Monks who became Cistercians settled in Oldstead for 30 years before moving to Byland in 1177 where they built their magnificent abbey which is now a ruin.  There is now a very new monastery at the top of Wass Bank called Stanbrook Abbey.

Arguably, these days the area is more famous for food. Residents and visitors are well served with well-known restaurants namely the Black Swan in Oldstead, the Abbey Inn in Byland and the Stapylton Arms in Wass.

The Parish Map shows the boundary administered by Byland with Wass and Oldstead Parish Council.