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Bower Road

Harrogate

in the county of North Yorkshire

The Elan Valley, Wales

Rhayader

in the county of Powys

Pictures of St Mary's Abbey, York

a Historic Building in the town of York, in the county of North Yorkshire

About St Mary's Abbey, York

The idyllic ruins of St.Mary's Abbey form an eye-catching centrepiece in the grounds of the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens. These are all that remain of a Benedictine re-foundation by King William II in 1088 of a monastery built in 1055. For several hundred years St.Mary's was one of the wealthiest and grandest in the region.

St.Mary's was populated by monks from Lastingham who had transferred to live and work under Benedictine rule. The Prior, together with other members of the community became aware of the need for reform, this resulted in arguments, so a group led by the Prior left in 1132 to found the renowned Cistercian Fountains Abbey.

The old order at St.Mary's continued to flourish until Henry VIII's Dissolution, when it was closed and left to become the spectacular ruin we see today.

Excavated finds from the site are on display in the museum, and interestingly the ruinous building often forms a dramatic back-drop for productions of the famous York Mystery Plays.

These romantic ruins offer visitors the chance to experience a little of York's early Religious life. Together with the Yorkshire Museum, they are one of the City's "must sees" on every visitors tour of York.

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Recommended towns & villages near St Mary's Abbey, York

York Minster

York (1057 Pictures)

a Historic City in the county of North Yorkshire

(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)

One of the most historic cities in Britain with overs 2000 years of history.....

The Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire

Tadcaster (4 Pictures)

in the county of North Yorkshire

(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction SW)

Tadcaster has been at the centre of the Brewing industry since the 18th century, and today breweries remain conspicuous on its landscape...

Knaresborough, Yorkshire

Knaresborough (131 Pictures)

a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire

(15.9 miles, 25.5 km, direction W)

This attractive market town lies in the high reaches of Yorkshire above Harrogate. It is overlooked by the peaceful waters of the River Nidd which is spanned by a magnificent.....

Bower Road

Harrogate (190 Pictures)

in the county of North Yorkshire

(18.5 miles, 29.8 km, direction W)

One of the chief town's in Yorkshire's old West Riding, Harrogate acheived early fame as a Spa resort...

Church

Snaith (7 Pictures)

in the county of East Riding of Yorkshire

(19.0 miles, 30.6 km, direction S)

This small town appears to be almost surrounded by water, it developed along the banks of the River Aire and to the east is the Ouse...

All towns in North Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Recommended attractions near St Mary's Abbey, York

The Wheel in York

Yorkshire Museum & Gardens (16 Pictures)

(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)

The Yorkshire Museum stands in spacious gardens on the banks of the River Ouse. It contains rich finds from the Roman city and.....

Lendal Tower, York, Next Shot is Lendal Tower Plaque

Lendal Tower (3 Pictures)

(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)

This is a beautiful riverside medieval building dating back to the 1300's or beyond. It was originally mentioned in Yorl's.....

The Yorkshire Wheel in York. April 2006

The Yorkshire Wheel (6 Pictures)

(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)

What a way to enjoy a fantastic view over the amazing city of York! The new Norwich Union Yorkshire wheel is vast, it measures.....

Treasurer's House, York, North Yorkshire

Treasurer's House (16 Pictures)

(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)

This attractive house was originally built for the Treasurer to York Minster, Radulphus was the first treasurer, he served from.....

Roman Bath Museum, York

The Roman Bath Museum (1 Pictures)

(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)

The remains of the Legionary bathhouse of the fortress of Eboracum. This museum is accessed through the Roman Bath pub, situated.....


All attractions in North Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England