Byland Abbey
Byland Abbey
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
OPENING TIMES: 3rd November 2014 - 29th March 2015: 10am - 4pm Saturdays and Sundays ONLY. 30Th March 2015 onwards: opening times available nearer the time. Along with Rievaulx and Fountains Abbeys, Byland Abbey was once one of the greatest Cistercian monasteries in the north of England. It boasts some of the earliest Gothic architecture in northern England as well as internationally significant medieval floor tile pavements. Much of the church survives to a great height, including the fantastic rose window, and the remains of the domestic buildings are extensive. There is also a museum packed with artefacts found on site and beautifully illustrated interpretation panels, which give visitors an insight into monastic life. There is also much to interest nature lovers as many varieties of wild flowers grow on the ruins of the abbey and a multitude of birds and small mammals can be seen around the site, including kestrels, buzzards and hedgehogs.
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  • ZoĂ« P
    Sowerby Bridge, United Kingdom307 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wow factor Abbey, free and enjoyable. Quiet breath of fresh air.
    Wow! What a lovely spot to come visit. Free as well. A very large abbey in a beautiful setting. My dog enjoyed the visit (must be on lead). Car park is just across road, perfect little picnic spots near and around the abbey. Stop by and read signs about the abbey and history. Better still check out website and come on a tour.
    Thank you, 215zoer, for your great review of Byland Abbey. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit!
    Written 2 May 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 April 2023
  • danielgraham1989
    Chandler’s Ford, United Kingdom205 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning Ruin
    Really interesting ruin with much more still standing then we expected. Interested to walk around and explore this special place. Plenty of information available explaining various aspects. The partial standing feature wall is stunning and you can only imagine how amazing it once looked. Really enjoyed an hour wandering around.
    Thank you, danielgraham1989, for your lovely review of Byland Abbey. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit and hope that you are able to return soon.
    Written 20 November 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 2 September 2023
  • Dalglish01
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful abbey and great tour
    Beautiful abbey in a very picturesque setting. We timed our visit to coincide with the free tour run by English Heritage which we thoroughly enjoyed. Sam was incredibly knowledgeable and the tour gave us a real insight into the history of the abbey and the monks who lived there. Tour times are on the website. There is a also a small museum if you can’t make the tour. Highly recommended.
    Thank you, Dalglish01, for your fantastic review of Byland Abbey! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Sam.
    Written 26 February 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 January 2024
  • PrestonGuild
    United Kingdom55,320 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Byland Abbey
    I did not really know much about Byland Abbey. Very much dropped by on a reasonably mild December day as we were in North Yorkshire. Handily there is a pub on the other side of the Abbey. This Abbey dates back to the 12th Century. It is free entry. There are handy information plaques by English Heritage. We actually enjoyed walking about looking at the ruins and imagining what it might had been like in its heyday.
    Thank you, PrestonGuild, for your lovely review of Byland Abbey.
    Written 26 February 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 24 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles295 reviews
Excellent
157
Very good
103
Average
29
Poor
5
Terrible
1

sunrise99
Yorkshire417 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
We came here in the Autumn. It was good to look round but as part of it was closed I would like to come back again to gather more information. The remains of the buildings look picturesque.
Written 9 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PrestonGuild
United Kingdom55,320 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
I did not really know much about Byland Abbey. Very much dropped by on a reasonably mild December day as we were in North Yorkshire.

Handily there is a pub on the other side of the Abbey.

This Abbey dates back to the 12th Century. It is free entry.

There are handy information plaques by English Heritage.

We actually enjoyed walking about looking at the ruins and imagining what it might had been like in its heyday.
Written 24 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, PrestonGuild, for your lovely review of Byland Abbey.
Written 26 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Dalglish01
Edinburgh, UK42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Beautiful abbey in a very picturesque setting. We timed our visit to coincide with the free tour run by English Heritage which we thoroughly enjoyed. Sam was incredibly knowledgeable and the tour gave us a real insight into the history of the abbey and the monks who lived there. Tour times are on the website. There is a also a small museum if you can’t make the tour. Highly recommended.
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Dalglish01, for your fantastic review of Byland Abbey! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Sam.
Written 26 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

danielgraham1989
Chandler’s Ford, UK205 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
Really interesting ruin with much more still standing then we expected. Interested to walk around and explore this special place. Plenty of information available explaining various aspects. The partial standing feature wall is stunning and you can only imagine how amazing it once looked. Really enjoyed an hour wandering around.
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, danielgraham1989, for your lovely review of Byland Abbey. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit and hope that you are able to return soon.
Written 20 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Hoppityskip
Essex, UK13,895 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Friends
What an extraordinary and hidden gem. So worth a visit to see its absolutely beautiful ruin that is so photogenic. Do not miss put
Written 22 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks, Hoppityskip, for your lovely review of Byland Abbey!
Written 29 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Manfred B
138 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
Byland Abbey (English Heritage), once one of the greatest Monasteries in England, is an outstanding example of early Gothic Architecture. Although a ruin there are enough features left for Visitors to admire.

The Abbey Ruins cover a wide area and are well preserved. There are ample positions from which to take a picture to have as a memory of this wonderful place.

This is a Must See Tourist Attraction!
Written 21 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, A5895UUmanfredb, for your fantastic review of Byland Abbey. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit!
Written 29 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Zoë P
Sowerby Bridge, UK307 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
Wow! What a lovely spot to come visit. Free as well.
A very large abbey in a beautiful setting.
My dog enjoyed the visit (must be on lead).
Car park is just across road, perfect little picnic spots near and around the abbey.

Stop by and read signs about the abbey and history. Better still check out website and come on a tour.
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, 215zoer, for your great review of Byland Abbey. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit!
Written 2 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ian K
Alnwick, UK720 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
This is not only free to visit, but is surprisingly beautiful, despite being somewhat in ruins. Not too far off the beaten track, with a small, free car park, it is a peaceful reminder of times long forgotten.
Written 16 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review, Ian K! We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Byland Abbey and we hope that you are able to visit us again soon.
Written 2 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

MalcolmSWokingham
Crowthorne, UK272 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Owned by English Heritage but now free entry. There are a very few information posts but there is so much more that could have been done to let you know what you are looking at. Impressive structure. Take a moment to try to visualise what it would have looked like in the 1200's and how it was built.
Written 23 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, MalcolmSWokingham, for your review of Byland Abbey. I will pass on your comments regarding information boards onto the team, but in the meantime if you would like to learn more about the abbey there is lots of information on the English Heritage website. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit otherwise, and hope that you are able to visit again in the future.
Written 2 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TheMarshal84
Liverpool, UK445 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Solo
Located in the extreme southwest of North York Moors National Park, close to the settlement of Coxwold, Byland Abbey Feels like you are as far from anywhere as one could be, nestled amongst the green hills and dales. The site is free to enter and despite the times on the website access to the Abbey 24 hours. One can reach the site by 31X bus, but beware this is a limited service. There are no shops, or facilities at this site… please allow up to 1 hour to walk the site and enjoy the scenery. If you decide to walk to Coxwold, it’s a 30 min walk and great at sunset.
Written 1 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review of Byland Abbey, David M! We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed your visit and hope that you are able to return soon.
Written 7 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Byland Abbey, Coxwold

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