Saint Mary's Abbey, York
Saint Mary's Abbey in York, once the pinnacle of northern England's ecclesiastical wealth, now stands as a poignant testament to medieval grandeur and historical transformation. Originally established in 1086, this abbey rose to become the wealthiest monastery in the north before its dissolution by Henry VIII in 1539, a pivotal moment in the English Reformation.
Located within the scenic confines of the York Museum Gardens, the abbey's remains occupy a steeply sloping site to the west of the majestic York Minster. Over centuries, the abbey's extensive buildings were largely dismantled, their stones repurposed to line paths across the gardens. Today, visitors to the site can primarily view the impressive north and west walls of the abbey church, remnants that hint at the original structure's scale and architectural elegance.
Additional structures that have withstood the passage of time include the Pilgrims' Hospitium, a half-timbered building that served weary pilgrims, the West Gate, and the 14th-century timber-framed Abbot's House, now known as the King's Manor. These elements collectively offer a glimpse into the complex daily life of the abbey before its decline.
The abbey's picturesque ruins were eloquently described by Edwin Ridsdale Tate in 1929, who celebrated the site as one of England's most charming locales. This sentiment captures the enduring allure of Saint Mary's Abbey, making it a focal point for visitors seeking both beauty and a deep connection with England's medieval past. Thus, Saint Mary's Abbey remains a cornerstone of York's rich historical landscape, inviting exploration and contemplation of its storied past and architectural beauty.
Why You Should Visit:
Beautiful, tranquil, and so close to the center that you can fit it into whatever else you are doing on your trip to York.
Tip:
Go into the Yorkshire Museum, itself a good place to go, and you get to go below to see even more of the Abbey which would be underground. Excavated finds and architectural features, particularly relating to the warming house and late 12th-century chapter house as well. Mesmerizing.
Located within the scenic confines of the York Museum Gardens, the abbey's remains occupy a steeply sloping site to the west of the majestic York Minster. Over centuries, the abbey's extensive buildings were largely dismantled, their stones repurposed to line paths across the gardens. Today, visitors to the site can primarily view the impressive north and west walls of the abbey church, remnants that hint at the original structure's scale and architectural elegance.
Additional structures that have withstood the passage of time include the Pilgrims' Hospitium, a half-timbered building that served weary pilgrims, the West Gate, and the 14th-century timber-framed Abbot's House, now known as the King's Manor. These elements collectively offer a glimpse into the complex daily life of the abbey before its decline.
The abbey's picturesque ruins were eloquently described by Edwin Ridsdale Tate in 1929, who celebrated the site as one of England's most charming locales. This sentiment captures the enduring allure of Saint Mary's Abbey, making it a focal point for visitors seeking both beauty and a deep connection with England's medieval past. Thus, Saint Mary's Abbey remains a cornerstone of York's rich historical landscape, inviting exploration and contemplation of its storied past and architectural beauty.
Why You Should Visit:
Beautiful, tranquil, and so close to the center that you can fit it into whatever else you are doing on your trip to York.
Tip:
Go into the Yorkshire Museum, itself a good place to go, and you get to go below to see even more of the Abbey which would be underground. Excavated finds and architectural features, particularly relating to the warming house and late 12th-century chapter house as well. Mesmerizing.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in York. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Saint Mary's Abbey on Map
Sight Name: Saint Mary's Abbey
Sight Location: York, England (See walking tours in York)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: York, England (See walking tours in York)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in York, England
Create Your Own Walk in York
Creating your own self-guided walk in York is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
York's Historical Architecture
Being home to some of the best preserved historic architecture in England, York screams history and is undoubtedly the must-go destination for anyone keen on the country鈥檚 past. While the more recent history has also characterized York, it is the abundance of the ancient sites retained in their variety 鈥� from Medieval times to the Georgian and Victorian eras, and more 鈥� that makes the city... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
York Introduction Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
York's Old Town
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The maze of historic streets 鈥� too narrow for vehicles, and therefore solely pedestrian 鈥� are packed with attractions fairly close to one... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
The maze of historic streets 鈥� too narrow for vehicles, and therefore solely pedestrian 鈥� are packed with attractions fairly close to one... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
York's Historical Pubs Tour
Yorkshire is a haven for real ale enthusiasts and York does live up to this reputation. Many of local pubs are as old as churches, having served their clients for centuries.
There's a plethora of historic pubs in the heart of York, offering an array of quality cask ales alongside a menu of hearty British food, served in a cozy, traditional atmosphere. Low ceilings, wonky floors and open... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
There's a plethora of historic pubs in the heart of York, offering an array of quality cask ales alongside a menu of hearty British food, served in a cozy, traditional atmosphere. Low ceilings, wonky floors and open... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
York City Wall Tour
Known variously as the York City Walls, Bar Walls, or the Roman Walls (although very little of the extant stonework has remained since Roman times) are the historic monument encircling the Old Town of York.
The surviving portion of the town wall 鈥� 3.4km (2 miles) 鈥� is longer than anywhere else in England. Built mostly in the 13th century (of magnesian limestone, and set upon earthen... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
The surviving portion of the town wall 鈥� 3.4km (2 miles) 鈥� is longer than anywhere else in England. Built mostly in the 13th century (of magnesian limestone, and set upon earthen... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles