Rievaulx Abbey
Direction Map

Open daily, 10am - 5pm

See full prices and opening times
Address
Rievaulx, Nr Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5LB

Rye Valley Abbey Exhibition

Our exhibition at Rievaulx Abbey explores the importance of the river and water to this beautiful monastic site.

Through images and artefacts the exhibition will explore the relationship between the monastery and the River Rye and how it continues to support incredible biodiversity today.

Discover objects from the Abbey's long history - including brass taps in the shape of a serpent and a cockerel (a literal stop cock), a block of stone from the toilets graffitied by monks with a drawing of the Holy Spirit (a dove) and even monastic fishing hooks and weights.

The exhibition and accompanying site trail also show the ingenious engineering solutions to supply the monastery with water for daily living, sacred use and industry.

Guidebook: Rievaulx Abbey

Price: £5.50

 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.

Membership starts from £42

Membership gives you unlimited access to castles and gardens, historic houses and abbeys, and kids go free...

Join Now

UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OVER 400 HISTORIC PLACES

Live and breathe the story of England at royal castles, historic gardens, forts & defences, world-famous prehistoric sites and many others.

FREE ENTRY FOR UP TO SIX CHILDREN

Free entry for up to six children accompanied by an adult member (under 18 years and within the family group).

FREE HANDBOOK TO PLAN INSPIRING DAYS OUT, WORTH £10.95

Complimentary full colour handbook worth £10.95. Plus our award winning Members’ Magazine delivered three times a year.

FREE OR REDUCED ENTRY TO OUR EXCITING EVENTS