Byland Abbey - Near Thirsk
Byland Abbey Between Thirsk & Helmsley
Great Abbey and museum to explore. Abbey housed over 200 monks and brothers and was one of the first Gothic buildings in the north. Open for dogs too.
Byland was one of the great Yorkshire Cistercian abbeys, housing at its zenith well over 200 monks and lay brothers. Much of its huge cathedral-sized church survives, including the whole north side and the greater part of the 13th-century west front. The mixture of rounded Romanesque and pointed Gothic arches shows how architectural styles changed, and reveals that Byland was one of the earliest Gothic buildings in the north. Its great circular rose window, now surviving only in part, was probably the model for the rose window of York Minster.
The museum displays colourful interpretation panels together with archaeological finds from the site, giving an insight into monastic life.
Rievaulx Abbey and Helmsley Castle are within reasonable travelling distance.
The Abbey Inn: A restaurant with rooms owned and managed by English Heritage, overlooking Byland Abbey. The Abbey Inn was adapted from medieval buildings within the monastic precinct, and used as a farmhouse before being converted to a pub in the 20th century. It has three bedrooms and a choice of dining rooms offering high quality English food, made using the best of local ingredients.
visit http://www.bylandabbeyinn.com/
Opening Times:
| April 2009 to March 2010 | Opening Times | Opening Days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr-30 Sep | 11am-6pm | Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun. |
How much does it cost?
Adult:
£4.00
Children:
£2.00
Concession:
£3.40
English Heritage Members:
Free - Join English Heritage
visit www.english-heritage.org
We will highlight properties with disabled or easy access for you to decide whether the property or establishment may be suitable for your needs and requirements.