7.3
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.3Founded in 1152, Easby Abbey was suppressed in 1536; within two years, most of its buildings had been stripped and demolished. Its surviving refectory, gatehouse and canons’ dormitory still make the scale of the Premonstratensian house legible.
Easby Abbey earns its place through the combination of substantial monastic remains, a still-used parish church with rare 13th-century wall paintings, and a setting beside the River Swale. It offers more than a picturesque ruin: the surviving buildings and church give visitors several distinct details to seek out.
Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open mapEasby, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7EU
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the surviving abbey buildings and the church within the precinct, then, if conditions and time allow, take the pleasant riverside walk towards Richmond Castle.
Things to do
Explore the monastic remains
Look closely at the surviving refectory, gatehouse and canons’ dormitory, some of the principal remains of this Premonstratensian abbey.
30–60 minutes
See the church wall paintings
Visit St Agatha’s parish church within the abbey precinct and look for its rare 13th-century wall paintings. Check whether the church is open on the day.
Walk towards Richmond Castle
English Heritage describes a pleasant riverside walk between Easby Abbey and Richmond Castle. The walk is stated as 35 minutes; check conditions and route information before setting off.
35 minutes each way, as described by English Heritage
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick Escape: Abbey and church
- 01
Check the current opening information, then enter the abbey site.
- 02
Explore the surviving refectory, gatehouse and canons’ dormitory.
- 03
Visit St Agatha’s parish church within the precinct, if it is open, to see its 13th-century wall paintings.
Half day · About half a day
Make a half day of it: Easby Abbey to Richmond
- 01
Allow time to explore the abbey ruins and St Agatha’s church.
- 02
Walk the pleasant riverside route from Easby Abbey towards Richmond Castle; English Heritage describes it as a 35-minute walk.
- 03
Explore Richmond Castle, including its interactive exhibition and views from the keep, then use Richmond’s town centre for food or drink.
Verified history
Easby Abbey was founded in 1152 as a Premonstratensian house. It was suppressed in 1536, and within two years most of its buildings had been stripped and demolished. The substantial remains include the refectory, gatehouse and canons’ dormitory. St Agatha’s parish church, still in use within the precinct, contains rare 13th-century wall paintings. The ruins later became a subject for artists including J.M.W. Turner.
Hidden details
Wall paintings at St Agatha’s — The church within the abbey precinct contains rare 13th-century wall paintings. Check whether it is open when you visit.
The abbey’s surviving working spaces — The refectory, gatehouse and canons’ dormitory survive as substantial remains; look for how these different buildings shaped daily life in the abbey.
When to go
· Visit during the published opening hours; the supplied sources do not identify a preferred time of day.
English Heritage lists opening throughout the year, with different hours by season. The sources do not establish a seasonal nature or visitor advantage.
Parts of the site can be muddy and uneven. Take care on steps and stairs; English Heritage also identifies sheer drops and prohibits climbing.
Worth pairing with
Richmond Castle
A pleasant riverside walk from Easby Abbey takes around 35 minutes according to English Heritage. The castle has an interactive exhibition, views from the keep, a shop selling snacks and refreshments, and a picnic area overlooking the River Swale.
Richmond town
English Heritage notes that Richmond has public toilets and a range of places to eat and drink. Its distance from the abbey is not specified in the supplied source.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the scale of the refectory, gatehouse and canons’ dormitory
- 02
inside St Agatha’s parish church, look for the rare 13th-century wall paintings. The ruins are uneven, with steps and stairs, and climbing is not permitted.
The story
Monastic history, medieval religious life
Best time to go
Open year-round according to English Heritage; the listed hours vary seasonally. Check current hours before visiting.
English Heritage lists daily opening, with longer hours from the end of March to October and shorter winter hours. Confirm current times before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-4pm
- Tuesday: 10am-4pm
- Wednesday: 10am-4pm
- Thursday: 10am-4pm
- Friday: 10am-4pm
- Saturday: 10am-4pm
- Sunday: 10am-4pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
English Heritage lists the abbey as open daily with free entry. The site is next to a signposted car park off the B6271. Check current opening times before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Signposted car park off the B6271, next to the abbey; parking cost is not stated. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
No toilets are listed at the abbey. English Heritage says toilets are available at Richmond Castle, around a 1.5-mile walk away.
Food & drink
No on-site food provision is confirmed. Richmond has places to eat and drink; Richmond Castle’s shop sells snacks and refreshments.
Dogs
Dogs on leads are welcome.
Accessibility
Parts of the site are uneven and can become muddy; there are steps and stairs within the ruins. Check with English Heritage about access needs before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
River
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Easby Abbey
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
