Atmospheric Abbeys in North Yorkshire

A visit to one of the many abbey ruins in North Yorkshire always evokes a sense of history as you walk in the footsteps of the monks that have previously lived there. The dissolution of the monasteries means many have lain in ruin since the 16th century with their remains dotted across the landscape as a reminder of their previous status and wealth.

Walking amongst these atmospheric ruins with perhaps a ghostly sighting or two can send chills down your spine. Here are our top abbey ruins to visit this spooky season.

Visiting the abbey during the autumn and over Halloween you may see the ruins shrouded in a mist or lit up at night during the Fountains by Floodlight event in October.

The ruins of nearby Jervaulx Abbey was once home to a Cistercian community and the ruins and surrounding nature live in harmony with wildflowers and trees growing nearby and among the stone remains. You can visit at dawn as the early morning light starts to illuminate the ruins or at dusk as shadows creep across the ruins creating an otherworldly appearance.

Easby Abbey near Richmond founded in the 12th century was home to a Premonstratensian order known as 'white canons' due to their white robes. Could you envisage a monk all in white going to prayers through the ruins? 

The history of Kirkham Priory stretches from medieval times to the Second World War as the ruins became home to the tanks that were to be used in the D-Day landings. As you soak up the historic surroundings of the medieval floor tiles and monastic washbasins, imagine seeing the soldiers practicing for the invasion from which many never returned.

While you may not experience any ghostly activity, our abbeys certainly have an atmosphere filled with the ghosts of the past. Find out more about North Yorkshire's abbeys and discover their history on your next visit.