# Rievaulx Abbey, York — Opening Hours, Reviews & Visitor Info > Marvel at the magnificent ruins of this 12th-century Cistercian monastery nestled in the North York Moors, where ancient stone arches and peaceful grounds create an inspiring day out for families. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/york/attractions/rievaulx-abbey (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Historical Landmark # Rievaulx Abbey English Heritage Visitor Centre [View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=13011885497615157156&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Photo: [Rich O](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/115071872483619358245) **In short:** Rievaulx Abbey is a historical landmark in York, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 3,301 Google reviews. Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places ## About Rievaulx Abbey Marvel at the magnificent ruins of this 12th-century Cistercian monastery nestled in the North York Moors, where ancient stone arches and peaceful grounds create an inspiring day out for families. ## Good to know ### Accessibility - ✓Accessible parking - ✓Accessible entrance - ✓Accessible toilet ### Payment - ✓Contactless Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs. ## Photos Photos via Google ## Facilities Toilets Gift Shop Onsite Parking Food Available Dog Friendly ## Opening hours **Monday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Tuesday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Wednesday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Thursday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Friday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Saturday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM **Sunday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours. ## What visitors say [Diego Esteban](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/110549689712445502518/reviews) ★★★★★ Absolutely breathtaking. The visitor's centre is very well thought out, and we appreciated that they had tables outside for us to enjoy our picnic directly in front of the ruins. The circular trail to go there from Helmsley is a pretty easy one (it does last about 4 hours and you need appropriate shoes, and bring some water). The audioguide is probably too long though, and if you plan on visiting the terrace as well, get the 2 in 1 ticket which is cheaper overall. · via Google [Oleksandra Tsymbal](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/101176278041630474741/reviews) ★★★★★ I have visited 3 English Heritage sites since the beginning of April, and this has been the most tremendous so far! The remaining are so tall and spacious, that its greatness makes your heart stop for a moment. It’s a magical place and even reminded me of The Chronicles of Narnia. Also I would recommend purchasing a guidebook as it provides so much more detail about how the Abbey originally looked, and how the brothers lived at the time. · via Google [Mason Sleight](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/112652962897719433423/reviews) ★★★★★ Absolutely Gigantic. Visit early, you WILL need the entire day to explore the entire site. We arrived at 12, left at 5, and still missed afew things!!! because my parents were clearly getting bored while i was not hahaha. Be sure to visit the watch-tower that's on the side of the dining area! It's hidden away and you'd never know it was there apart from the little doorway it has. If you want to listen to music at the site, bring something that doesn't need Wi-Fi!!! i wanted to listen to Golden Brown as i had seen a post of this place on Instagram with that song & i wanted to mentally recreate it but there was no service lol so i just had to sing it in my head while i walked around 😂😂😂 · via Google [Steve P](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103905488178380841037/reviews) ★★★★★ What an absolutely amazing place to visit. In all honestly this makes Whitby Abbey look bad and I never thought I'd say that. Rievaulx Abbey, founded in 1132, was the first Cistercian abbey in the north of England and became one of the wealthiest monasteries in England. It was seized during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. The abbey's ruins are a popular tourist attraction, and the wider site has been awarded Scheduled Ancient Monument status. Rievaulx Abbey's history is a testament to the Cistercian order's influence and the monks' dedication to a life of prayer and self-sufficiency. · via Google [See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x487ec58853f5c93d:0xb49380eb8f6887a4!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Visitors say this abbey features stunning, well-preserved ruins and a fascinating museum with archaeological finds, along with a lovely cafe offering good food and drinks. They also highlight the tranquil, picturesque setting and the availability of an informative audio guide. Guests mention the staff are friendly and helpful, and the site is dog-friendly throughout. Summary via Google ## At a glance **Address** Rievaulx Bank, Rievaulx, Helmsley, York, YO62 5LB [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=54.2572964%2C-1.1174486) **Category** Landmarks & Monuments **Guest rating** 4.8 / 5 (3,301 reviews) **Suitable for** All Ages **Suggested visit** 1-2 hours **Setting** Outdoor **Good for children** Yes **Toilets on site** Yes **Destination** York [More attractions in York](https://staycation.co.uk/york/attractions) ★ 4.8 (3,301 reviews) [Visit official website](https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rievaulx-abbey/?&utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction) [03703331181](tel:03703331181) (please mention staycation.co.uk when calling) ### Quick Facts **Destination** York **Postcode** YO62 5LB **Payment** Contactless **Plus Code** 9C6W7V4M+W2 [Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x487ec58853f5c93d:0xb49380eb8f6887a4!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x487ec58853f5c93d:0xb49380eb8f6887a4!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x487ec58853f5c93d:0xb49380eb8f6887a4!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) ### 🏨 Places to stay near York Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com, with live prices. [Check availability →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DYork%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link [Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/york/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/york/camping) ## Quick answers ### What are the opening hours of Rievaulx Abbey? Rievaulx Abbey is open Mon–Sun 10am–5pm (from its Google listing; hours can change on bank holidays, so check before you go). ### Is Rievaulx Abbey any good? Rievaulx Abbey is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 3,301 Google reviews. ### Is Rievaulx Abbey good for children? Yes, Rievaulx Abbey is listed as good for children. ### How long do you need at Rievaulx Abbey? Allow one to two hours. ### Is Rievaulx Abbey indoors or outdoors? Rievaulx Abbey is mainly outdoors. ### What ages is Rievaulx Abbey suitable for? Rievaulx Abbey suits all ages. ### Is Rievaulx Abbey wheelchair accessible? Rievaulx Abbey has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and an accessible toilet. ### How do I contact Rievaulx Abbey? Call Rievaulx Abbey on +44 1439 760350. ## Stay near Rievaulx Abbey [Holiday cottages nearby 180](https://staycation.co.uk/near/rievaulx-abbey/cottages) [Campsites nearby 44](https://staycation.co.uk/near/rievaulx-abbey/camping) [Hotels and B&Bs nearby 5](https://staycation.co.uk/near/rievaulx-abbey/hotels) ## More near Rievaulx Abbey ### Hotels & B&Bs nearby - [Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa ★ 4.4 · 2.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/north-york-moors/hotels/feversham-arms-hotel-verbena-spa) - [Stilworth House ★ 4.7 · 2.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/helmsley/hotels/stilworth-house) - [The Black Swan Helmsley ★ 4.1 · 2.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/north-york-moors/hotels/the-black-swan-helmsley) - [The Royal Oak Hotel ★ 4.3 · 2.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/helmsley/hotels/the-royal-oak-hotel) ### Holiday cottages nearby - [Mill House next door](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/mill-house-uk2088) - [Swiss Cottage next door](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/swiss-cottage-uk2450) - [Mill Cottage ★ 4.8 · next door](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/mill-cottage-uk2449) - [Ashberry Retreats - Ashberry Farm Cottage 0.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/ashberry-retreats-ashberry-farm-cottage-dc0455) ### Campsites nearby - [Bungdale Head Farm Caravan & Camping Site ★ 4.6 · 1.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/camping/bungdale-head-farm-caravan-camping-site) - [Crossdale Campsite (Certificated Site) ★ 4.6 · 1.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/camping/crossdale-campsite-certificated-site) - [Wethercote Farm Campsite ★ 4.9 · 3.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/thirsk/camping/wethercote-farm-campsite) - [Golden Square Touring and Camping Park ★ 4.5 · 3.7 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/helmsley/camping/golden-square-touring-and-camping-park) ### Things to do nearby - [National Centre for Birds of Prey ★ 4.8 · 2.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/helmsley/attractions/national-centre-for-birds-of-prey) - [Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool ★ 4.6 · 2.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/helmsley/attractions/helmsley-open-air-swimming-pool) - [Helmsley Walled Garden ★ 4.5 · 2.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/helmsley/attractions/helmsley-walled-garden) - [Helmsley Mystery Treasure Trail 4.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/helmsley/attractions/helmsley-mystery-treasure-trail) ## Featured in our guides [All staycation ideas →](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas) [York Staycation Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat Plan a York staycation: where to stay inside the walls or by the station, the Minster, Jorvik and the National Railway Museum, where to eat, a two-day plan, day trips to Harrogate and the coast, and glamping nearby.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/york-staycation-guide)