Sun Star on Whitby Abbey The Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey with the suns rays producing a star

Visiting Historic Abbeys In England

Step Into England's History

By Melissa Alvarado Sierra | Published on November 29, 2023

When I decided to cruise to England, I knew I wanted to dive into the country's history by way of its ancient architecture, and exploring the abbeys in England was one of the best ways to achieve just that. Locals shared that anyone traveling to the British Isles must visit the majestic historic homes in England, both the ones in ruins and the ones still operating. I had heard about abbeys before, but I wasn't sure what they were. During a tour, the guide went through a lengthy list of abbeys in England, and I learned that an abbey is a set of buildings with a convent or monastery. The buildings also included a church or cathedral, and were headed by an abbot or abbess and served as the homes to monks and nuns of different communities or orders, such as Benedictine, Carthusian, Cistercian and Cluniac.

England is famous for abbeys that date back to medieval times, many of which were reclaimed by King Henry VIII when he separated from the Catholic Church in the 1530s — an event known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. After the dissolution, most of the abbeys only retained the abbey church, which many just call an abbey. After learning what an abbey was, I wondered — why are English estates called abbeys? The answer is that many of these repossessed abbeys were gifted to the English nobility, and the families built mansions on those grounds, usually incorporating the ancient structures into their home design. These old homes in England were later known as estates, but their owners kept the original names that included the word "abbey."

Take in the majestic Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire.

Celebrated Abbeys In England

Everyone on my vacation tour was asking about one of the most famous historic homes in England, and one of the most famous "abbeys." Maybe you've heard of it? Downton Abbey. But where is Downton Abbey located in England? While the abbey itself is fictional, the filming site of the popular television show is in Newbury at Highclere Castle, which was once the official residence of the Bishops of Winchester. Another famous abbey to visit on a vacation to London is Westminster Abbey, found west of the Palace of Westminster. It is known as a royal abbey church because this is where British monarchs are coronated and where 16 royal weddings have taken place.

Highclere Castle is the setting of the acclaimed television show Downton Abbey.

In England, abbeys are considered magical and mystical landmarks. Dating back to the Middle Ages, they represent a period in which the Catholic Church was exceedingly influential. What remains of this deeply ecclesiastical time is now open to visitors and found all across England. One of the first abbeys I visited — and one of the most popular in England — is Whitby Abbey. The gaunt but regal remains are a feast for the eyes. Set high on a cliff overlooking the North Sea, Whitby Abbey has been the set of inspiration for writers, religious devotees and photography enthusiasts alike. The celebrated ruins were founded around the year 657 AD, and in 664 AD, it became the home for the Synod of Whitby, a historic meeting that influenced the establishment of the Church of England. Walking about the grounds, I took in the medieval ruins of the abbey, brimming in beautiful isolation. I tried to imagine what the church must have looked like in its heyday. It used to be the heart of a large set of monastic buildings, but all that remains from most of those buildings are stones set in the grass. After discovering the beautiful ruins and enjoying the breathtaking views of Whitby Town and Harbor, it was time to visit the interactive center for interesting backstories and items from the medieval period.

The Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey look magical when the sun sets.

Next on my list of abbeys to visit was Rievaulx Abbey, located in Yorkshire. I found this abbey to be very tranquil and photogenic, with impressive ruins set in the North York Moors National Park — a peaceful and secluded valley. The atmospheric abbey and setting brought to life scenes from books like Wuthering Heights, one of my favorite novels. To further immerse myself in this magnificent place, I joined an audio tour.

Rievaulx Abbey was one of the first Cistercian abbeys in England, founded in 1131 by Walter Espec. It was originally made out of timber as a temporary building until the stone structures were erected in 1132. Close to a thousand years of history are reflected in the architecture, which holds spiritual and commercial meaning. After the dissolution, the abbey forge initially became a site for ironwork but later turned into a symbol of the Romantic period, with poets, scholars and artists documenting its beauty and history. I took some time to enjoy the ruins and sat by one of the massive pillars. There was a carpet of grass filling the inside floor of the abbey. I could not believe that so much beauty could be found in such a desolate place. To wrap up my visit to Rievaulx Abbey, I stopped by the museum, where I found recently discovered artifacts from the abbey, including chess pieces and coins — items signaling the amazing trajectory of the Cistercian site.

Interior of the Cistercian Rievaulx Abbey near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, England

Peace and quiet can be easily found on the beautiful grassy grounds of Rievaulx Abbey.

In England, abbeys are considered magical and mystical landmarks. Dating back to the Middle Ages, they represent a period in which the Catholic Church was exceedingly influential.

Crossing Times

Lindisfarne Castle on the Northumberland coast, England

The impressive Lindisfarne Castle can be seen in the distance on your way to the abbey

My next abbey was more remote than I originally anticipated. Lindisfarne Priory, on the isolated and mysterious Holy Island, is found off the Northumberland coast, just a few miles from the Scottish border. Its location makes for a great day trip on your England vacation. While I was excited to travel to this destination, there was one little detail I needed to figure out: tides. Twice daily, the island becomes inaccessible once high tide washes over the raised causeway that leads to the island. So, I needed to check the safe crossing times. Once I found a safe time, I was delighted by a drive that included incredible views of the sea. Then, I was welcomed to the island by charming cafés, the jaw-dropping Lindisfarne Castle and, of course, the ancient Lindisfarne Priory.

I followed in the footsteps of ancient monks and discovered their mesmerizing stories. They lived on Holy Island and were the victims of Viking invasions, which forced them to flee the priory, eventually settling in Durham. But not all was tragic in the abbey. The monks were also able to create the exquisite and celebrated Lindisfarne Gospels, a group of illuminated texts that are now in the British Library. The Lindisfarne Priory was one of the most important centers of early Christianity in England — a site that still attracts pilgrims from far and wide.

The intricate architectural details can be seen in what remains of the priory

A Battle, A Stone And A Gate

Part of the ruins of the historic Battle Abbey in the town of Battle in East Sussex

See the ruins erected on the battlefield where the Battle of Hastings took place

The grounds of the Battle Abbey were once the site of one of the most famous and influential battles in all of England. The pivotal Battle of Hastings ended with William the Conqueror defeating King Harold. William erected the abbey to mark the location of his victory, curiously not in Hastings but in Senlac Hill. He invited Benedictine monks to run the monastery, and a town developed around the abbey. After the dissolution, the abbey was largely demolished. There are several trails that took me around the grounds, and I could recreate the battle and pinpoint where the original abbey structure was found. Because the site is so immense, close to 100 acres in total, I stuck to the area closest to the monastic remains. Those remains include a 13th-century extension near the east end, featuring a memorial on the original site of the abbey's high altar, which was meant to mark the exact spot where King Harold died. It's called the Harold Stone, set deep into the ground. By far, the best preserved portion here is the grand abbey gatehouse, considered one of the most impressive medieval gatehouses in England (and one of the most Instagrammable spots during my cruise to the British Isles, too).

Once upon a time, there were more than 800 monasteries in Britain, but the dissolution caused the loss of all the monastic houses. Afterward, the buildings were largely neglected. They were pillaged for their lead and stone and deteriorated over time. But what very few visitors know is that some of those monastic sites were salvaged and reintroduced to British society as religious havens, their original purpose reestablished. They are not in ruins anymore but working abbeys that are now open to the public.

Buckfast Abbey - Devon - with a blue cloudy sky

The exquisite Buckfast Abbey in Devon is a working monastery

When I learned that some abbeys were actually still open and alive, I had to visit one. After witnessing the beauty and history of their ruins, being able to enter an abbey with its walls and ceilings intact felt like a dream. Buckfast Abbey seemed like a perfect place to witness this. Founded in 1018 as a Benedictine Abbey and later rebuilt as a Cistercian Abbey, Buckfast went through many changes. The church was mainly built by the monks themselves, creating it with very simple and primitive tools. Found in a charming valley on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, the abbey is home to a community of Benedictine monks. They lead a life of prayer, study and work. Their main place of worship is the abbey church and monastery, but they have developed several buildings that welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. I toured the beautiful abbey, taking pictures of the gigantic stained-glass window inside the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, built in 1968 by one of the monks. I also stopped by three gardens: the Lavender Garden, Sensory Garden and Physic Garden. Then, I heard angelic voices coming from a building. I followed the sounds and found myself by the door of the abbey church, listening to the monks rehearsing a group of songs. For a moment, it felt like I was traveling back in time, witnessing the glory days of the abbeys in England.

Written By
MELISSA ALVARADO SIERRA

Melissa Alvarado Sierra is a journalist, author and sailor. She's been exploring coastal destinations around the world for more than a decade, always searching for authentic experiences to share with her adventurous readers. Her work has been published or is forthcoming in The New York Times, Lonely Planet, Orion Magazine, AFAR, USA Today  and others.

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