Guisborough Priory

Guisborough Priory (often spelled Gisborough) is a ruined medieval Augustinian priory in the market town of Guisborough, North Yorkshire. Its great east gable is what survives best: the wall of the former priory church still rises to nearly 71 feet and dominates the view from the gardens. Entry to the site is free.

What is the history of Guisborough Priory?

The priory of St Mary was founded in 1119 by Robert de Brus, a Norman lord and an ancestor of Robert the Bruce, later King of Scots. Gifts from the Crown, noble families and ordinary locals made it one of the wealthiest monastic houses in England.

A fire in 1289 wrecked most of the Romanesque complex. The canons spent the following century rebuilding on a more ambitious scale in the Gothic style, and the remains are now counted among the country's finest examples of early Gothic. After the Dissolution the buildings decayed, and the east end was later folded into a picturesque landscape beside the hall of the Chaloner family, who still own the land.

What can you see at the priory?

• The east gable with its tall pointed-arch window: the centrepiece of any visit and the most photographed corner.
• Low walls of the church and monastic buildings laid out across the lawns.
• The gatehouse ruins, listed at Grade I.
• Priory Gardens, the green setting around the ruins and a pleasant stop on a walk through town.

The area is a Scheduled Monument. Its protected zone covers a late Saxon settlement, a cemetery, the monastic precinct and a dovecote. English Heritage looks after the ruins.

When should you visit, and what does it cost?

English Heritage lists free entry, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, including bank holiday Mondays. Some third-party listings show shorter winter hours, so check the official page before you set out. Volunteers run free guided tours at 2pm that last about an hour, and donations are welcome.

Afternoon light is best for photographing the east gable. Allow 45 to 60 minutes, longer if you join a tour.

How do you get to Guisborough Priory?

The ruins stand in the centre of Guisborough on Priory Gardens, a few minutes on foot from the main shopping street. The town lies in the borough of Redcar and Cleveland, at the foot of the North York Moors, so a visit combines easily with a day in the national park. Drive or take a bus from Middlesbrough.

Frequently asked questions

Is Guisborough Priory free to enter?

Yes. English Heritage lists entry as free.

Who founded the priory?

Robert de Brus, in 1119. He was an ancestor of Robert the Bruce.

Are there guided tours?

Yes. Volunteers lead free tours at 2pm, lasting around an hour.

Why is it sometimes spelled "Gisborough"?

Both spellings refer to the same place, and you will meet each in historic sources and on signs.