Rievaulx Abbey | English Heritage

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Rievaulx Abbey

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Open daily 10am - 5pm

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Address

Rievaulx, Nr Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5LB

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Our Aelred

A new exhibition trail highlighting one of the world’s most fascinating saints has opened up at Rievaulx Abbey.

Through a series of information panels Friendship, Leadership and Sainthood explores the life and times of Aelred, a 12th century abbot and saint from Rievaulx Abbey who has become an unlikely LGBTQ+ icon. The exhibition trail, which opened in 2021, looks at the twenty years that he spent at the abbey, his sainthood and modern role. An inspirational leader and writer, his influence resonates through the centuries with many of his works, especially those on friendship, still read today by people of all faiths and none.

The exhibition trail, which will be in place until the end of 2022, is free of charge and separate information leaflets are available.

The life of Aelred of Rievaulx

Things to See and Do

Timeline

1131-2First Abbey

Walter Espec, lord of Helmsley, builds temporary timber structures for the first monks sent from Clairvaux in France.

Find out more about the history of Rievaulx Abbey

1135-6Stone Structures

William, the first abbot, begins work on the first stone buildings.

1147-67Aelred and Expansion

Aelred becomes the third abbot. He rebuilds and expands William's monastery for the growing community, adding a monumental new church.

Read a description of Rievaulx Abbey

1167-88Cloister Remodelling

Abbot Silvanus rebuilds the south range of the cloister and remodels Abbot William's west range.

1220sThe Church Extended

The east end of the church is remodelled in spectacular style, probably to house Aelred's shrine.

Find out why Rievaulx Abbey is significant

Late 14th CenturyPractical Renovations

Rievaulx's buildings are again remodelled to suit changing patterns of religious life.

1538-9Suppress and Demolition

Rievaulx Abbey is suppressed under Henry VIII and sold to Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland. The abbey is dismantled.

1545-1640sIronworks

Rutland develops a substantial ironworks at Rievaulx that continues for about a century.

Mid-18th CenturyRomantic Ruin

Under the Duncombe family, Rievaulx becomes a landscape monument that appeals to artists and writers.

1880s-1890sAntiquarian Interest

The Yorkshire Archaeological and Topographical Association visits with expert guides to look into the history of the site.

1917State Guardianship

The Office of Works take the ruins at Rievaulx into guardianship.

1917-1920sConservation

With the presbytery in danger of collapse, immediate repairs begin, despite wartime shortages of labour and materials.

Learn more about Rievaulx Abbey

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Nearby Places
Similar Places

Helmsley Castle
2.34 miles from Rievaulx Abbey
Byland Abbey
4.1 miles from Rievaulx Abbey
Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens
11.52 miles from Rievaulx Abbey

Marmion Tower
19.29 miles from Rievaulx Abbey
Clifford's Tower, York
20.84 miles from Rievaulx Abbey
Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village
21.66 miles from Rievaulx Abbey

Nearby Places
- Helmsley Castle
  2.34 miles from Rievaulx Abbey
- Byland Abbey
  4.1 miles from Rievaulx Abbey
- Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens
  11.52 miles from Rievaulx Abbey
Similar Places
- Marmion Tower
  19.29 miles from Rievaulx Abbey
- Clifford's Tower, York
  20.84 miles from Rievaulx Abbey
- Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village
  21.66 miles from Rievaulx Abbey

Gallery for Rievaulx Abbey

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