Home / Days Out & Events / Properties / Find a property by map / Yorkshire / North Yorkshire / Byland Abbey
Sign up for our email newsletter
Unusual Gift Ideas from the English Heritage Shop
Weather Forecast
Day Planner. Download Pdf

See Also

Visit the English Heritage Archaeology Store at Helmsley
Visit the English Heritage Archaeology Store at Helmsley
Free guided tours lead by English Heritage Curators
External website linkThe Abbey Inn
Eat, drink or stay at The Abbey Inn, overlooking Byland Abbey.
External website linkYorkshire Moors & Coast
Accommodation, attractions, events, eating out and what's on across North Yorkshire.
Find a Hotel with Active Hotel

Byland Abbey

View from the south transept through to ambulatory
View from the south transept through to ambulatory (c) English Heritage
Byland Abbey - General view of the ruins (c) General view in the snow - General view in the snow (c) View from the south transept through to ambulatory - View from the south transept through to ambulatory (c)

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.

www.bylandabbeyinn.com

April 2010 to March 2011Opening TimesOpening Days
1 Apr - 30 Jun 11am-6pm Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Jul-31 Aug 11am-6pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols.
1 - 30 Sep 11am-5pm Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
April 2009 to March 2010Opening TimesOpening Days
1 Apr-30 Sep 11am-6pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.

How much does it cost?

Adult:
£4.00 until 31 Mar 2010 / £4.20 from 1 Apr 2010
Children:
£2.00 until 31 Mar 2010 / £2.10 from 1 Apr 2010
Concession:
£3.40 until 31 Mar 2010 / £3.60 from 1 Apr 2010
English Heritage Members:

How do I get there?

Address:
North Yorkshire - YO61 4BD
Road Access:
2 miles S of A170, between Thirsk and Helmsley; near Coxwoldvillage
Train Access:
Thirsk 10 miles
Bus Access:
Stephensons 31X, Moorsbus M7, M15 York - Helmsley
Telephone:
01347 868614 (Byland Abbey). 01347 868204 (Abbey Inn)

What facilities are available?

Facilities Available:
Suitable for people with disabilities Museum Education Guidebooks Dogs allowed on leads Picnic area Hazardous Family Learning Admission free for Overseas Vistor Pass holders Restaurant
Facilities Details:
Parking across the road. Toilets at Abbey Inn.
Access:
Access to abbey and grounds: Via smooth grass. Custodians will advise wheelchair users of a route around the ruins which avoids steps. Benches provided.
NB Some grass areas may be marshy in wet weather.
Museum: one step.
Refreshments: Abbey Inn has level access and also has outdoor tables and chairs.
Toilets: Adapted WC in main car park, reached via small concrete ramp.
Parking:
70m from main car park (behind Abbey Inn) to entrance; 20m from smaller car park. Main car park has loose gravel. Disabled visitors may be set down at entrance gate, but beware passing cars.
Visually Impaired Visitors:
Carved stonework to touch in museum.

What facilities are available for groups?

Group Discount:
15% discount for groups of 11 or more visitors paying together. Free entry for coach driver and tour leader.
Coach Parking Facilities:
As there is no parking on site, please use Abbey Inn car park (100 metres) which has room for 1 coach.
Group Booking:
Contact the site for a Group Booking Form and for opening times and prices from 1 April 2010.
Average Length of Visit:
45 minutes.
Newsletter