Abbeys
Yorkshire's wealth of abbeys is reason enough to visit this area and many are within easy driving distance of the GT. Yorkshire's most famous religious building is York Minster which is a “must” as part of any visit to the historic city. Although not quite on the doorstep Durham Cathedral, often regarded as the most impressive building in the country, is only an hour's drive north.
York Minster
One of Europe's finest cathedrals on a site where prayers have been said for over 1,000 years, York Minster as it stands today was built between the 12th and the 15th Century and is the largest Gothic church in England. It is 524 feet long and 249 feet wide and the height from floor to vault is over 90. The Foundations Museum under the Minster shows how the present building was constructed on the site of a Norman Cathedral, which was itself built on a Roman Fort.
An awe inspiring place to visit there are elaborate stone carvings particularly on the capitals and bosses, a star ribbed wooden roof of ingenious mathematical construction and elaborate windows. A visit to the Central Tower offers excellent views over the city. There is now an entrance charge towards the cost of maintenance. Voluntary guides are usually on duty from 09.30 (10.00 in winter) until approximately half an hour before evensong. Two million people visit York Minster every year, whether as tourists or pilgrims.
30 minutes' drive.
Rievaulx Abbey
Founded by St Bernard of Clairvaux in 1132 it soon became one of the wealthiest monasteries of medieval England, the first northern Cistercian monastery and one of the three most important religious communities alongside Fountains and Byland. A steady stream of monks came to Rievaulx attracted by the prestige of Abbot Aelred who was regarded both then and later as a wise and saintly man. It was a vibrant community when Henry VIII dissolved it in 1538 but, despite its destruction under its new owner, the first Earl of Rutland, substantial remains left behind still constitute one of the most eloquent of monastic sites.
40 minutes' drive
Byland Abbey
Near the pretty village of Coxwold, is probably the least well-known of the three wealthiest Cistercian abbeys. Today the site at Byland is dominated by the remains of the great abbey church. This was an impressive building built in the New Gothic style of architecture, which was as large as many cathedrals. Stunning remains of the mosaic tiles in the south transept offer a glimpse of just how magnificent the church was in the Middle Ages.
40 minutes' drive
Bolton Abbey
Somewhat of a misnomer Bolton Abbey is the Yorkshire Estate of the Duke of Devonshire where there is a pretty village, animal farm park, miles of footpaths and nature trails and the church and ruins of a 12th century Augustinian Priory by the river. The nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle” originates from a story around one of the priors, Prior Moone, and a local family called Hey. On the priory tower there are stone dogs that are believed to feature in the rhyme.
Approx 40 minutes' drive and just 5 minutes' from Skipton Castle whose history is closely linked with the Estate.
www.boltonabbey.co.uk with link to Bolton Priory
