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Jervaulx Abbey Walk

2 miles (3.2 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap 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 locations

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Jervaulx Abbey OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Jervaulx Abbey Open Street Map Open Streetmap - 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.

Photos

Jervaulx Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 1401425

Jervaulx Abbey. The ruins of the former Cistercian Abbey set in attractive parkland.

Jervaulx Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 12711

Jervaulx is part of the collection of Cistercian abbeys in North Yorkshire - also including Rievaulx and Fountains - that suffered during the Dissolution.

Wall at Jervaulx Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 1047788

Wall at the site. The abbey is raised slightly above the surrounding parkland.

Jervaulx Park pond - geograph.org.uk - 1401438

Park pond. The pond occupies one of the natural hollows formed in glacial moraine.

Pond in a hollow - geograph.org.uk - 1402583

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 and the River Ure - geograph.org.uk - 339884

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.

Jervaulx Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 1401429

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 ancient walls at Jervaulx Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 324211

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.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Jervaulx Abbey.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Jervaulx Abbey.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)