A short distance from the village lie the ruins of Byland Abbey.

Despite the small size of the village (population about 100) there is a pub, the Stapylton Arms.

The toponym probably means 'fords', from Middle English wathes and ultimately from Old Norse vath.

[7] To the east of the village is Wass Grange, in which building the monks of Byland Abbey stored their grain before the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

In May 2009 the nuns of Stanbrook Abbey, in Worcestershire, re-established themselves in a purpose-built convent near Wass.