Pictures of Dale Abbey

About Dale Abbey

The ruins of Dale Abbey recall an interesting legend which has existed for hundreds of years. A Baker from Derby is said to have seen a vision of the Virgin Mary which led him to give up all his worldly goods and pleasures to live the rest of his life as a hermit. He crossed the River Derwent close to Deepdale and made himself a home in the sandstone cliffs. Later the abbey was built on the same site.

Today, the hermit's cave dating from around 1135 can still be seen, but little remains of the once splendid abbey save for the superb arch of the east window, but this gives some indication of the size and magnificence of the abbey buildings, parts of which are combined into the layout of a private dwelling house.

The smallness of the present church would appear to be in stark contrast with the former abbey buildings, as this has chancel and nave measuring little more than 25ft x 25ft. This shows Norman work to the walls, an ancient font which came from the abbey, and wall paintings from the 13th-century. The building seems crammed with box pews lining up beneath a raised alter.

Interestingly, the Church, dedicated to All Saints, shares its roof with a farmhouse which was formerly an inn called The Bluebell. A legend surrounding the church suggests that Alan a Dale, who rode with Robin Hood, was married in the church.

All three of these Derbyshire gems are well worth seeing, the abbey ruins, cave and church, not simply for their historic worth, but also for their unique atmosphere.