Rievaulx Abbey

Rievaulx Abbey stands in the village of Rievaulx, a few miles from Helmsley, inside the North York Moors National Park in North Yorkshire. Once among the greatest monasteries in England, it now lies in ruins under the care of English Heritage. Tall Gothic arches rise from the quiet, wooded valley of the River Rye, making it one of the most photographed medieval sites in the north.

What is the history of Rievaulx Abbey?

Rievaulx was the first Cistercian house in northern England, founded in 1132 by monks sent from Clairvaux in France, the community associated with Bernard of Clairvaux. Over the twelfth century it grew into a large community of monks and lay brothers. Abbot Aelred, a writer and spiritual teacher, led it in the later part of that century.

The abbey's end came with Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. The buildings fell into decay and local people took away stone for other uses. The site was scheduled as an ancient monument in 1915 and passed into state care in 1917 under the Ministry of Works. Today English Heritage owns and maintains the ruins.

What can you see at the abbey?

• The abbey church: surviving arcades and the high walls of the presbytery show how large the building was.
• The monastic buildings: remains of the cloister, refectory and other rooms of the community.
• The visitor centre exhibition: displays and objects on monastic life and the story of the site.
• The Rye valley: wooded slopes around the ruins, especially colourful in autumn.

How do you get to Rievaulx Abbey?

The abbey is a short drive from Helmsley. Driving is the easiest option, and the site has its own car park. Walkers can follow the Cleveland Way long-distance footpath, which passes just south of the ruins. Local buses can be infrequent, so check timetables before you travel.

When should you visit, and how long does it take?

Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours for the ruins and exhibition, or half a day if you add a walk in the surrounding hills. The valley looks good in every season: greenest in spring and early summer, richest in colour in autumn. Opening times and ticket prices vary by season, so check the English Heritage website before you go.

Is this the same as Rievaulx Terrace?

No. Rievaulx Terrace is a separate attraction: an eighteenth-century landscaped garden terrace run by the National Trust, set on the hillside above the abbey with views down onto the ruins. Tickets are separate, but visiting both in one day is a popular plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who looks after Rievaulx Abbey? English Heritage owns and maintains the site.

When was the abbey founded? In 1132, as the first Cistercian abbey in northern England.

What happened to it? It was closed in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII and gradually became a ruin.

Can you walk to it? Yes. The Cleveland Way passes just to the south, and Helmsley is the nearest town.