Stanbrook Abbey

Stanbrook Abbey in Wass is a contemporary Benedictine monastery for nuns in North Yorkshire, set in the countryside near the North York Moors and a few miles from Ampleforth. The enclosed community has lived here since May 2009, and its story goes back to 1625.

What is the history of Stanbrook Abbey?

Nine young Englishwomen founded the community in 1625 at Cambrai in Flanders, under the English Benedictine Congregation. The nuns were imprisoned during the French Revolution, returned to England, and in 1838 settled at Callow End in Worcestershire, where a monastery was built for them. As monastic life declined and the buildings grew too large, the community left and relocated to Wass.

How does Wass differ from the old monastery?

The two sites are easy to confuse. The former monastery at Callow End is on the National Heritage List for England (entry 1098751, Grade II, listed in 1968) and has operated as a hotel since 2015. The Wass buildings are a new purpose-built home, completed in phases. The first Mass in the new abbey church took place in 2015, with Abbot Cuthbert Madden of Ampleforth as principal celebrant. A later phase covered the church, parlours, a guest wing and a conference room. Historic England has no separate listing for the Wass buildings.

Can you visit?

This is a working enclosed monastery, not a ticketed attraction. The nuns follow the Rule of St Benedict, and communal prayer shapes the day. Check the abbey website (stanbrookabbey.org.uk) before travelling for service times and access to the church. Guest space is small, and the monastic guesthouse was still awaiting completion, which limits groups and meetings.

How do you get there?

The abbey stands near the village of Wass, north of York in the Howardian Hills, close to Ampleforth and the ruins of Byland Abbey. A car is the practical way to arrive. Local roads are sometimes closed for works, for example the Byland to Wass road in spring 2026, so check notices first.

Frequently asked questions

Is Stanbrook Abbey a Historic England listed building?

The old Callow End monastery is Grade II listed. The new Wass complex is modern and has no separate entry.

Can I stay overnight?

Guest capacity is limited and depends on the guesthouse being finished. Contact the community directly.

Can I go inside the monastery?

The enclosure rule applies. Visitors can use only the areas the community opens, such as the abbey church at set times.

Where is Wass?

In North Yorkshire, near Ampleforth, on the southern edge of the North York Moors.