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Roche Abbey

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

A 12th century Cistercian monastery in a lovely valley setting. The abbey stands in 18th century parkland designed by famed landscape gardener Capability Brown. Roche Abbey has one of the best preserved ground-plans of any Cistercian monastic site, enabling you to readily see the layout of the abbey buildings.

The abbey was established in 1147 under the patronage of Richard de Bully, Lord of Tickhill, and 'Richard, son of Tungis'. It drew its first monks from the abbey at Newminster, in Northumberland. The church was finished by 1170. One unusual feature is that the church was never remodelled or rebuilt, thus it is an almost unaltered example of a 12th century abbey church. The best preserved building is the 14th century gatehouse, which stands upon the foundations of a still earlier gatehouse structure.

The destruction of Roche Abbey during the Dissolution of the Monasteries was recorded by an eyewitness at the time, and this story is brought to life through interpetive panels and visitor displays.

After the destruction of the Dissolution, the abbey buildings were incorporated into Sandbeck Hall. In 1774 the grounds of the Hall were landscaped to a design by Capability Brown, aimed at creating a picturesque setting to display the abbey ruins. Brown 'enhanced' the romantic quality of his design by destroying much of the remaining cloister buildings, and covered the foundations with parterres. The parterres were removed in the 20th century, and some of the cloister ruins covered by Brown have been exposed.
Maltby, Yorkshire, England, S66 8NW

About Roche Abbey
Attraction Type: Abbey
Location: On the A634 just west of Firbeck village
Website: Roche Abbey
Phone: 01709 812739
English Heritage
Location map
OS SK547898

Heritage Highlight: 14th century gatehouse
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Hodsock Priory - 4.9 miles (Garden) Conisbrough Castle - 6 miles (Castle) Mr Straw's House - 6.6 miles (Historic Property) Mattersey Priory - 9.7 miles (Abbey) Renishaw Hall - 9.9 miles (Garden) Clumber Park - 10.4 miles (Countryside) Brodsworth Hall - 11 miles (Historic House) Bolsover Cundy House - 12.7 miles (Historic Property)

Nearest Towns and Villages Rotherham - 7.4 miles away Doncaster - 9.4 miles away Sheffield - 11.9 miles away Barnsley - 16.1 miles away Gainsborough - 17 miles away Knaith - 18 miles away Blyton - 19.1 miles away Torksey - 20.1 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Roche Abbey

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Pats Cottage - 16 miles from Roche Abbey Dore, Yorkshire Sleeps: 6 Stay from: £270

Pinewood Apartment - 20.2 miles from Roche Abbey Ashover, Derbyshire Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £200

Callow Barn - 21.2 miles from Roche Abbey Hathersage, Derbyshire Sleeps: 8 Stay from: £750

More Self Catering near Roche Abbey

Nearest Hotels

Hellaby Hall Hotel - 3 miles from Roche Abbey Hellaby, Yorkshire Stay from: £39.00

Ibis Rotherham - 3.2 miles from Roche Abbey Rotherham, Yorkshire Stay from: £38.00

Restover Lodge Hotel - 3.2 miles from Roche Abbey Hellaby, Yorkshire Stay from: £41.00

More Hotels near Roche Abbey

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Throapham House Bed & Breakfast - 2.1 miles from Roche Abbey Laughton, Yorkshire From: £65.00

fairways - 8.3 miles from Roche Abbey Templeborough, Yorkshire From: £45.00

The Briary Hotel - 13 miles from Roche Abbey Sheffield, Yorkshire From: £42.00

More bed and breakfasts near Roche Abbey

Worksop
Tourist Information Centre
Worksop Library
Memorial Avenue
Worksop
Nottinghamshire
England
S80 2BP
Tel: 01909 501 148
Fax: 01909 501 148
Email: worksop.tourist@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Map