There are approximately 50 spaces in the free car park. This is located 70 metres from the entrance of the site, which is a further 150 metres from the admission point via a tarmac and cobbled entrance bridge. Visitors will need to cross a road (lane) in order to reach the site entrance from the car park. There are no marked parking bays for coaches on site, so availability is dependant on the number of cars already parked. As a rule of thumb however, there is typically space for around two coaches on any one day.

There is a vending machine selling hot drinks. The on-site shop also sells a selection of snacks including cold drinks, confectionery and ice-cream.

You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds. There are seven benches and two picnic tables located around the Abbey, and of course lots of grass on which to lay out your picnic blanket. If the weather is bad, then visitors are encouraged to eat their picnics in the Education Room (when not booked by a school group).

The shop is located within the ticket office selling a selection of English Heritage gifts and themed souvenirs, as well as light refreshments.

There are separate male, female and disabled toilets, including baby changing facilities located on the main site.

Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds only. Assistance dogs welcome across the site.

On the ground floor (wheelchair access via ramp) visitors will find an exhibition on the history of the Abbey and monastic life. This includes one exhibition case of artefacts which have been found on the site.

On the first floor (no wheelchair access unfortunately) visitors will find an exhibition about historic wall-paintings, which includes a video loop and display boards, and another about how the encaustic tiles present at the Abbey were made. This includes one exhibition case displaying examples of the tiles found here.

There is a grassed area completely surrounding the Abbey buildings, which varies in size but extends at least 100 metres to the perimeter fence.

Please note: There are horses in the field adjacent to the Abbey. Visitors are asked not to feed the horses.

Baby Changing Facilities

There are separate male, female and disabled toilets, including baby changing facilities located on the main site.

Play Areas / Adventure Playground

Although there are no specific play areas for children, grassed areas surrounding Abbey buildings are well suited for games and exploration.

Push Chairs Allowed

Yes

Toy / Dressing Up Box

In the education room, young visitors can use sets of wooden replica tiles to make their own tiled floor patterns. Tile stamping sets and paper are also provided, as are monk robes for dressing up and a book box.

Family Learning

A story bag is available on request. ‘Brother Cedric and the Missing Sheep’ will lead families on a trail around the Abbey, and there are a number of opportunities to handle objects relating to the story and specific areas of the site.

Early Years Explorer Buckets are also available. These are small soft plastic buckets with coloured plastic shapes, a magnifying glass and wind-up ladybird torch (aimed at under fives). 

Interpretation for Children

All of the main interpretation panels have an insert panel entitled 'The Monks Trail', which are aimed at children and feature fun facts about the monks lives at the Abbey.

Available For Event Hire

On occasion, the Abbey can be hired out for third party functions such as theatre productions or art exhibitions. Please contact the site on 01984 640377 for further information.

English Heritage welcomes amateur photographers to our sites and we hope you will share your pictures of your visit with us on social media.

If you are looking to use one of our sites for commercial, corporate or professional photography or as a filming location, please contact our filming team as soon as possible to check availability and acquire the relevant permissions and paperwork.

Due to the delicate nature of our sites, English Heritage does not permit drone flying from or over sites in our care, except by contractors or partners undertaking flights for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and permissions, and are operating under controlled conditions.