Rievaulx Abbey, Rievaulx, Nr Helmsely (North York Moors)

Find peace amongst the atmospheric ruins of 12th century Rievaulx Abbey.

Summary

13th century buildings (or older)
Gift shop
Audio guide
Free car parking (on site)

Food and Drinks

Tea Room
Picnic area

Introduction

Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire is one of the most complete and impressive abbeys in Britain. Find peace amongst the atmospheric ruins, set in one of the most tranquil valley spots you’ll ever see. Immerse yourself in the stillness and beauty of this monastic site which attracted thousands of medieval pilgrims from far and wide.

Explore nearly 900 years of history in the interactive museum, displaying unique archaeological finds. On the edge of stunning moorland walking, cycling and horse riding trails are in abundance in the Rievaulx area. Why not take time to unwind in the tearoom and enjoy delicious Yorkshire fare made with local produce for a very serene treat indeed.

History to the present day

Rievaulx Abbey was founded in 1132 by twelve monks from Clairvaux Abbey as a mission centre for the colonisation of the north of England and Scotland. It was the first Cistercian abbey in the north. With time it became one of the great Cistercian abbeys of Yorkshire, second only to Fountains Abbey in fame.

The remote location was ideal for the Cistercians, whose desire was to follow a strict life of prayer and self-sufficiency with as little contact as possible with the outside world.

The abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1538. At that time there were said to be 72 buildings occupied by only an abbot and 21 monks, attended by 102 servants, with an income of £351 a year. It also had a prototype blast furnace at Laskill, producing cast iron as efficiently as a modern blast furnace; according to Gerry McDonnell (archeometallurgist of the University of Bradford), the closure of Rievaulx delayed the Industrial Revolution for two and a half centuries.

Henry ordered the buildings to be rendered uninhabitable and stripped of any valuables such as lead. The abbey site was granted to the Earl of Rutland, one of the Henry's advisers, until it passed to the Duncombe family.

In the 1750s Thomas Duncombe III beautified the estate by building the terrace with two Grecian-style temples; these temples, now called Rievaulx Terrace & Temples, are in the care of the National Trust.

The ruins of the abbey are still standing and are yet impressive today. They are now in the care of English Heritage.

Food and Drinks

The Rievaulx Cafe offers fresh locally sourced food, reflecting the best of Yorkshire produce. The café is now selling wonderful home made mince pies with a special recipe and home baked flapjacks – perfect with a lovely warming mug of hot chocolate in the cosy café.

Other facilities

Access to abbey and grounds: Access to most of site via fine loose gravel paths and smooth grass, but some steps, and site is on a slope. Benches available. Wheelchair available.

Exhibition: New interactive exhibition accessed via lift.

Toilets: Adapted unisex WC.

Shop: Level access.

Museum: 200m from ticket office on bonded gravel path. Level access and lift between floors.

Parking: Car park beside entrance. Side gate can be opened for cars to drive closer to abbey.

Visually Impaired Visitors: Special audio tour available.

Hearing Impaired Visitors: Audio tour with hearing loop available.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Rievaulx Abbey, North York Moors, , United Kingdom

Road Access: In Rievaulx; 2 1/4 miles N of Helmsley, on minor road off B1257.

Bus Access: Moorsbus M8, M91 and the Heritage Bus from Helmsley (connections on Scarborough & District 128 from Scarborough railway station) Tue & Thu all year, Mon-Sat June-Sep, Sundays Apr-Oct. Hodgson’s Bus Company also run the 199 Service to Rievaulx Bank Top operating every Friday from 1st Friday in October to last Friday in June.

Opening Times:

April to March

1 Apr-30 Sep 10am-6pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Oct-1 Nov 10am-5pm Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
2 Nov-31 Mar 10am-4pm Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed.

Price:

Adult: £5.00

Children: £2.50

Concession: £4.30

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photo Library.

More photos of Rievaulx Abbey, Rievaulx, Nr Helmsely