The monks at Byland Abbey were a little ‘Goldilocks’ before they found a location for their order that was ‘just right’. It’s a magical spot: on the road between Oldstead and Wass, going towards Helmsley, in the bend of Long beck. Byland Abbey is managed by English Heritage – this site is free to visit.
A group of Savigniac monks founded a monastery at Furness, Cumberland, but then went through some tumultuous years, before the Savigniac order merged with the Cistercians and the community began founding an abbey at Old Byland near Rievaulx. They moved from there though to Oldstead, before eventually creating Byland Abbey.
They assembled a strong estate, mainly supported through sheep farming and wool sales, and had holdings around Ampleforth and Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe. They even had granges in Cumberland and iron mines in West Yorkshire!
Things didn’t go so well in the 14th century. There were attacks by the Scots, and the Black Death meant many monks died and with fewer labourers, the Abbey declined. In 1538 the death knell was sounded when King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries.
The ruins are surprisingly extensive – you can still make out many of the original features. The tiles are particularly striking and the kind of small detail that help to make this stunning and atmospheric building alive – you can almost see the mark of the monks’ hands on them.
Just across the road is another reason to visit this area - the The Abbey Inn, is now in the hands of the Banks family, with wonderful food and a very welcoming atmosphere.