Jervaulx Abbey
The crumbling walls of this ancient monastery, are covered in a wide range of plant life and present one of the most romantic images of the white monks of Wensleydale. The ruins of the monastary are found within beautiful parkland with a backdrop of rolling hills.
Building on this site began in the mid-12th century and much of what remains today has miraculously survived from this period. Jervaulx suffered more heavily than other Yorkshire abbeys at the Dissolution because the last abbot was involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace. After a campaign of savage and thorough destruction, completely obliterating the abbey church, it is incredible to see such substantial sections of the monks' dorter and the infirmary still standing.
Although the floor plan of the church can be identified, there are only fragments of the original walls visible along the entire 270 ft, and a few column bases springing up from the undergrowth. However, the real beauty of the church now takes the form of a profusion of wild flowers decorating the ancient stones, and providing a colourful carpet across the nave. In total, there are believed to be some 200 different species growing amongst the ruins.
