By Melissa Alvarado Sierra | Published: November 29, 2023 | Updated: February 20, 2026
Famous Abbeys In England
In England, abbeys are considered magical and mystical landmarks. Dating back to the Middle Ages, they represent a period in which the Catholic Church was exceedingly influential. What remains of this deeply ecclesiastical time is now open to visitors and can be found all across England. Some of the most famous Abbeys in England include:
- ● Westminster Abbey.
- ● Whitby Abbey.
- ● Rievaulx Abbey.
- ● Lindisfarne Priory.
- ● Battle Abbey.
- ● Buckfast Abbey.
Downton Abbey
Westminster Abbey
Another one of the most famous abbeys in England to visit on a London vacation is Westminster Abbey, found west of the Palace of Westminster. A couple of Westmisnter abbey facts: It’s known as a royal abbey church because this is where British monarchs are coronated and where 16 royal weddings have taken place.
When Was Westminster Abbey Built?
Westminster Abbey was originally built in 960 AD as a Benedictine monastery, but the structure recognized today was largely constructed starting in 1245 under King Henry III, who began rebuilding it in the Gothic style.
Whitby Abbey
One of the first abbeys I visited — and one of the ruined Abbeys England has to offer — is Whitby Abbey. The gaunt but regal remains are a feast for the eyes. Set high on a cliff overlooking the North Sea, Whitby Abbey has been the set of inspiration for writers, religious devotees and photography enthusiasts alike. The celebrated ruins were founded around the year 657 AD, and in 664 AD, it became the home for the Synod of Whitby, a historic meeting that influenced the establishment of the Church of England.
Discover Ruins and Rich History
Walking about the grounds, I took in the medieval ruins of the abbey, brimming in beautiful isolation. I tried to imagine what the church must have looked like in its heyday. It used to be the heart of a large set of monastic buildings, but all that remains from most of those buildings are stones set in the grass. After discovering the ruins and enjoying the breathtaking views of Whitby Town and Harbor, it was time to visit the interactive center for interesting backstories and items from the medieval period.
Rievaulx Abbey
Next on my list of abbeys to visit was Rievaulx Abbey, located in Yorkshire. I found this abbey to be very tranquil and photogenic, with impressive ruins set in the North York Moors National Park — a peaceful and secluded valley. The atmospheric abbey and setting brought to life scenes from books like Wuthering Heights, one of my favorite novels. To further immerse myself, I joined an audio tour.
A Cistercian Landmark Through the Ages
While not the oldest Abbey in England, Rievaulx Abbey was one of the first Cistercian abbeys, founded in 1131 by Walter Espec. It was originally made out of timber as a temporary building until the stone structures were erected in 1132. Close to a thousand years of history are reflected in the architecture, which holds spiritual and commercial meaning.
Ruins That Sparked Imagination and Art
After the dissolution, the abbey forge initially became a site for ironwork but later turned into a symbol of the Romantic period, with poets, scholars and artists documenting its beauty and history. I took some time to enjoy the ruins and sat by one of the massive pillars. There was a carpet of grass filling the inside floor of the abbey. I could not believe that so much beauty could be found in such a desolate place.
Artifacts that Tell the Abbey’s Story
To wrap up my visit to Rievaulx Abbey, I stopped by the museum, where I found recently discovered artifacts from the abbey, including chess pieces and coins — items signaling the amazing trajectory of the Cistercian site.
Lindisfarne Priory
My next abbey was more remote than I originally anticipated. Lindisfarne Priory, on the isolated and mysterious Holy Island, is found off the Northumberland coast, just a few miles from the Scottish border. Its location makes for a great day trip on your England vacation.
Accessing Lindisfarne by Causeway
While I was excited to travel to this destination, there was one little detail I needed to figure out: tides. Twice daily, the island becomes inaccessible once high tide washes over the raised causeway that leads to the island. So, I needed to check the safe crossing times. Once I found a safe time, I was delighted by a drive that included incredible views of the sea. Then, I was welcomed to the island by charming cafés, the jaw-dropping Lindisfarne Castle and, of course, the ancient Lindisfarne Priory.
The Monks of Lindisfarne
I followed in the footsteps of ancient monks and discovered their mesmerizing stories. They lived on Holy Island and were the victims of Viking invasions, which forced them to flee the priory, eventually settling in Durham.
But not all was tragic in the abbey. The monks were also able to create the exquisite and celebrated Lindisfarne Gospels, a group of illuminated texts that are now in the British Library. The Lindisfarne Priory was one of the most important centers of early Christianity in England — a site that still attracts pilgrims from far and wide.
Battle Abbey
The grounds of the Battle Abbey were once the site of one of the most famous and influential battles in all of England. The pivotal Battle of Hastings ended with William the Conqueror defeating King Harold. William erected the abbey to mark the location of his victory, curiously not in Hastings but in Senlac Hill. He invited Benedictine monks to run the monastery, and a town developed around the abbey. After the dissolution, the abbey was largely demolished.
Trails Around the Battle Abbey Grounds
There are several trails that took me around the grounds, and I could recreate the battle and pinpoint where the original abbey structure was found. Because the site is so immense, close to 100 acres in total, I stuck to the area closest to the monastic remains. Those remains include a 13th-century extension near the east end, featuring a memorial on the original site of the abbey's high altar, which was meant to mark the exact spot where King Harold died.
It's called the Harold Stone, set deep into the ground. By far, the best preserved portion here is the grand abbey gatehouse, considered one of the most impressive medieval gatehouses in England — and one of the most Instagrammable spots during my cruise to the British Isles, too.
Abbeys Restored for Today
At one time, there were more than 800 monasteries in Britain, but the dissolution caused the loss of all the monastic houses. Afterward, the buildings were largely neglected. They were pillaged for their lead and stone and deteriorated over time.
What very few visitors know is that some of those monastic sites were salvaged and reintroduced to British society as religious havens, their original purpose reestablished. They’re not in ruins anymore, but working abbeys now open to the public.
Buckfast Abbey
When I learned that some abbeys were actually still open and alive, I had to visit one. After witnessing the beauty and history of their ruins, being able to enter an abbey with its walls and ceilings intact felt like a dream. Buckfast Abbey seemed like a perfect place to witness this.
From Benedictine Beginnings to Cisterian Rebuild
Founded in 1018 as a Benedictine Abbey and later rebuilt as a Cistercian Abbey, Buckfast went through many changes. The church was mainly built by the monks themselves, creating it with very simple and primitive tools. Found in a charming valley on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, the abbey is home to a community of Benedictine monks. They lead a life of prayer, study and work, and their main place of worship is the abbey church and monastery.
The Sights and Sounds of Abbey Life
They’ve developed several buildings that welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. I toured the beautiful abbey, taking pictures of the stained-glass window inside the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, built in 1968 by one of the monks. I also stopped by three gardens:
- ● The Lavender Garden.
- ● The Sensory Garden.
- ● The Physic Garden.
Then, I heard angelic voices coming from a building. I followed the sounds and found myself by the door of the abbey church, listening to the monks rehearsing a group of songs. For a moment, it felt like I was traveling back in time, witnessing the glory days of the abbeys in England.
Get Royal Deals, Sign Up Today
Getting There
Explore Our Most Affordable Itineraries
Sail to the mystical British Isles and discover its ancient beauty via impressive monastic abbeys.
