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York City Guide
Medieval Abbeys and Monasteries in Yorkshire
Byland Abbey 
Near Coxwold, Yorkshire, off A170, English Heritage, open April-end
October daily, 10-6, Tel. 01347 868614
Ruined abbey known for its rose window and lovely geometric floor
tiles.
Fountains Abbey 
Ripon, North Yorkshire, off B6265, National Trust, Tel. 01765 601005
Fax 01765 601002
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.
Mount Grace Priory
Osmotherley, Northallerton, Yorkshire, off A170, National Trust,
Tel. 01609 883494
The 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. There is a small herb garden.
Rievaulx
2 m W Helmsley, Yorkshire, off B1257, English Heritage, Tel. 01439
798228
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.
Whitby Abbey 
Whitby, Yorkshire, English Heritage, Tel. 01947 603568
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.
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