Jervaulx Abbey Walk
This walk explores the photogenic ruins of the historic Jervaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire.
The Grade I listed abbey dates from the 12th century but was later plundered and pillaged during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. Today the abbey and surrounding Jervaulx park make for a lovely peaceful stroll. There's 126 acres to explore with wildflowers, grazing sheep, a pretty pond and fine views of the surrounding North Yorkshire countryside. Afterwards you can enjoy some refreshments at the delightful on site tea rooms.
You can start your walk from the car park area on the eastern side of the site. Then pick up the footpaths heading east around the park.
Postcode
HG4 4PH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Jervaulx Abbey Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Jervaulx Abbey Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Jervaulx Abbey OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Jervaulx Abbey Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The on site tea rooms serve a good range of meals and snacks. If the weather is good you can sit outside in the beautiful garden area.
Dog Walking
The site is dog friendly and a nice place to bring your pet for an easy walk in pleasant surroundings. You are requested to keep them on leads around the ruins.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your historic walking in North Yorkshire head to Fountains Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey. There's more fine trails around the atmospheric ruins of these two sites. There's also Rosedale Abbey in the North York Moors although this was really just a small Cistercian nunnery, of which only a stone turret or belfry remains in the village churchyard.
If you head north from the site you could visit Danby Hall and the pretty Thornton Steward Reservoir. There's also some nice waterside trails along the River Ure which runs just to the north of the ruins.
The settlements of Leyburn, Bedale and Masham are also nearby as is the lovely Leighton Reservoir which lies just to the south.
The long distance Six Dales Trail also passes through the area.
A few miles to the north is the noteworthy village of Constable Burton where you can enjoy lovely trails around Constable Burton Hall. The grade-I-listed Georgian mansion includes some beautiful grounds with peaceful woodland, pretty becks and delightful gardens to see.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Nidderdale Walks and the Yorkshire Dales Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Jervaulx Abbey. The ruins of the former Cistercian Abbey set in attractive parkland.
Jervaulx is part of the collection of Cistercian abbeys in North Yorkshire - also including Rievaulx and Fountains - that suffered during the Dissolution.
Wall at the site. The abbey is raised slightly above the surrounding parkland.
Park pond. The pond occupies one of the natural hollows formed in glacial moraine.
Pond in a hollow. Much of the river valley between the Abbey and Masham shows evidence of glacial deposition with areas of moraine forming low hills, ridges and depressions. One such hollow near Low Ellington contains a pond. In the distance is Clifton Castle.
Kilgram Bridge & the River Ure. This ancient bridge has medieval ribbed arches and was possibly built by the monks of the Abbey. The bridge marks the traditional lower end of Wensleydale.
Sheep grazing in the park. The ruins have that 'romantic' appeal as they have never been over tidied or manicured. Trees and wild flowers grow amongst the ruins and add to the atmosphere.
Wildflowers and creeper on the ancient walls. One of the delights of Jervaulx is its 'romantic ruin' appearance, draped in wild flowers, ivy and honeysuckle. It is said that some of the flowers are escapes from the monks medieval gardens.