Rievaulx Abbey

Wow! That is the best way to put this place, it's absolutely stunning , i spent a few hrs here just walking around trying to imagine what it would have been like back in the days Looking at how the architecture and design was constructed how they managed to build such a beautiful place. Very interesting and therapeutic place to be . Beautiful little cafe there with very friendly and helpful staff A car park and plenty of places to walk and a few mile away from another beautiful little town Helmsley 100% recommend!

It’s a lovely place to visit. Located in a very rural area but only five minutes drive from Hemsley. Recommend to book the entrance ticket online if you are not the member of English Heritage. Also you can get a small discount to book online in advance. Of course you can buy the entrance ticket when you get there. Really enjoyed to learn the history of Rievalux Abbey, and the stories. It’s freezing out there. Remember to wrap up warm if you plan to pay a visit in winter. They also have a cafe by the entrance. A cup of tea or coffee can keep you warm.

This is definitely one of those sort of places that is so much more than the sum of it's parts. Blue sky, a splash of sunshine, vibrant green grass and towering walls of stone providing whispered suggestions of what might have been if the buildings had been left untouched. All combine together to provide that kind of magical experience that can never be quite adequately defined in mere words. I loved this place, and I feel it stands on a par with other similar attractions (Fountains Abbey etc) that will also be competing for your time. Come here and lose yourself in the wonder of it all.

We finally visited the Abbey in August after months of anticipation, and it did not disappoint. The Abbey itself is absolutely stunning. We parked in the village car park, which is just next to the site, although there is also a car park on the property. The location is well-maintained, with a shop and cafe at the entrance, as well as a small museum on-site. We spent a couple of hours exploring, even bringing a picnic to enjoy there. Helpful information boards are scattered throughout to guide you during the visit. It's a beautiful spot, and we’ll definitely be back

The Abbey ruins are substantial & are accompanied by a small museum but imho if you aren’t an EH member the admission prices are prohibitive. Thankfully we had a free entry barcode. The other major negative with Rievaulx is the car park is too small to cope with demand, people were boxing other drivers in & generally parking inappropriately both in the car park and outside it on the small country lanes.

Even in the pouring rain this is such a lovely place to visit. Staff welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. The sight was so interactive, giving you info on the rooms previous use but we were able to wander freely at our own pace. Peaceful and we were able to think and just be immersed in the atmosphere

Frienrly service, well maintained area and very informative audio guide. The Abbey ruins are absolutely fascinating. It's been a bit bothersome that some hobby singers used the ruins as a backdrop for a video of their horrible caterwauling when we visited, but that didn't diminish the overall experience.

In a lovely setting, an astonishing ruin. One can but marvel at the endeavour, the cost and the skill involved. Excellent shop ,a tea room and toiletsdo also visit the museum.

We visited this lovely place two days ago and it was a delightful experience. The abbey has long been in ruins and the grounds are high up above it. There are twelve spaces where the trees were cut down in order to provide (beautiful) views. There's also a small building at one end, which was used for dinner parties very long ago - and a guide gives *fascinating* talks there twice/day. We were fortunate to be there at the right time (the first talk begins at noon and I think the second one begins at 2:30 p.m., although I'm not certain about the latter). That talk greatly enhanced our visit; not only was the guide incredibly knowledgable, but she also had a *terrific* sense of humor. A neat thing was that we happened to be there on the one day each year when the high grasses at the edge of the property are cut back, and we had a delightful conversation with the chief groundskeeper & one of his co-workers (they're employed by the National Trust and they take care of various properties). The woman at the ticket desk was also very friendly - and speaking of tickets; admission is *very* reasonably-priced. Note that the walk of the grounds is about one mile from start to finish.

An absolute must if in the area. This is one of the most screne places I've been. Loved it and was well worth the drive..