England > Yorkshire > Abbeys & Monasteries

Medieval Abbeys and Monasteries in Yorkshire

Byland Abbey    Ruined abbey known for its rose window and lovely geometric floor tiles. Coxwold, Yorkshire, England, YO61 4BD Attraction Type: Abbey Location: 2 miles S of A170 between Thirsk and Helmsley Website: Byland Abbey Phone: 01347 868 614 English Heritage Location map OS SE548 789 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal    Extensive remains of a 12th century Cistercian abbey, that has been named a World Heritage site. Named after the many springs in the area, Fountains grew to become one of the largest and richest houses in Britain. The architecture is superb, including the surviving 168 ft. tower. In October, Fountains hosts a "son et lumiere" show (sound and light to us uneducated louts). The abbey is part of a large site including Studley Royal historic house and water gardens. Be warned; this is one of the most popular destinations in Britain, and can be quite crowded in summer. Ripon, Yorkshire, England, HG4 3DY Attraction Type: Abbey Location: off B6265 Website: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Phone: 01765 601 005 Fax: 01765 601 002 National Trust Location map OS SE275 700 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Mount Grace Priory    Ruins of a 14th century Carthusian priory. Note the austere furnishings and isolated individual cells that kept the monks living as hermits within the larger community. Small herb garden. Staddle Bridge, Osmotherley, Northallerton, Yorkshire, England, DL6 3JG Attraction Type: Abbey Location: Half mile south of junction of A19 and A172; 6 miles NE of Northallerton Website: Mount Grace Priory Phone: 01609 883494 National Trust Location map OS SE449985 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Rievaulx Abbey    Once the largest and most important monastery in England. Rievaulx (a Norman mangling of "Rye Vallis") is set in beautiful woodlands. The best preserved building is the church, particularly the east end, fully three stories in height, showing off Early English flying butresses. Rievaulx, Helmsley, Yorkshire, England, YO62 5LB Attraction Type: Abbey Location: 2 m W Helmsley, off B1257 Website: Rievaulx Abbey Phone: 01439 798 228 English Heritage Location map OS SE576 851 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Whitby Abbey    Early English abbey ruins, the site of Count Dracula's (fictional) landing in England. More importantly, Whitby was the site of the 7th century synod of early bishops which established the supremacy of Roman Catholicism over the Celtic church in Britain. Whitby, Yorkshire, England, YO22 4JT Attraction Type: Abbey Location: on clifftop E of Whitby Website: Whitby Abbey Phone: 01947 603568 English Heritage Location map OS NZ901111 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering