Pictures of Thornton Abbey

a Abbey in the town of Thornton, in the county of Lincolnshire

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About Thornton Abbey

Breathtaking ruins showing clearly the medieval splendour enjoyed by the abbots in the days before the Reformation.

The initial sight of the sumptuous gatehouse is both thrilling and awesome, it is one of the earliest brick buildings of sizeable consequence built it Britain. Here, the abbot reigned supreme from a building which was both fortress and residence. The building was erected in around 1382 and is one of the grandest in the whole of Europe.

The gatehouse was built to a height of three floors with niches containing beautiful statutory set between four round towers. The parapets above contained statues of soldiers, tradesmen and scientists. A first floor room contains fireplaces and a collection of stone carvings found during an excavation of the site.

From the time of the Reformation, the Abbey had a varied history passing down the centuries through different pairs of hands. It is now a cherished possession in the care of English Heritage, who have preserved and restored carefully. Thornton is considered to have been a wealthy monastery and that perhaps is the reason why its gatehouse was built in such a lavish style
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Thornton Abbey.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Thornton Abbey

Spurn Lightship	(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction N)	Pictures
Waters Edge Country Park	(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Elsham Hall Country Park	(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Humber Bridge Country Park	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Burton Constable Country Park	(11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction N)	Pictures
Beverley Minster	(13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Normanby Hall	(14.2 miles, 22.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
Hubbard's Hills	(24.0 miles, 38.6 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Gainsborough Old Hall	(26.5 miles, 42.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures

All attractions in Lincolnshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Thornton Abbey

New Holland, in the county of Lincolnshire (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction NW)
A long narrow street of grey houses defines the character of New Holland, but there are good views up the river to the Humber Bridge, and across the river to the bustling port of Hull.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Barton upon Humber, in the county of Lincolnshire (5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction W)
This is a charming town spread out from the historic River Humber. There are particularly fine views of the Humber bridge, river traffic and river wildlife, with the best views being from the Barton Claypits which occupy a lengthy stretch of the river bank.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Kingston upon Hull, in the county of East Riding of Yorkshire (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction N)
Kingston-upon-Hull is the proper name for this major industrial city which occupies a dynamic waterfront location on the giant...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Grimsby, in the county of Lincolnshire (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction SE)
The Grimsby of today is in stark contrast to the days when its fleet numbered more than 700 sea going fishing vessel's, and even more with the time when it was under the rule of invading Danes.
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Cleethorpes, in the county of Lincolnshire (13.7 miles, 22.1 km, direction SE)
Cleethorpes, is a warmly welcoming coastal resort in an area renowned for Trawlers and day trippers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Beverley, a Historic Market Town in the county of East Riding of Yorkshire (13.8 miles, 22.2 km, direction NW)
This is a town best known for its impressive Minster church which is without doubt one of the most splendid in Europe. It is...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Humberston, in the county of Lincolnshire (14.7 miles, 23.6 km, direction SE)
This is a typical North East Lincolnshire Wolds town. It is also a coastal resort town with chalet parks reminiscent of the 1950's.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Withernsea, in the county of East Riding of Yorkshire (15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction E)
Withernsea lighthouse is interestingly built in close proximity to the houses that line the streets a few hundred yards away from the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hornsea, in the county of East Riding of Yorkshire (18.4 miles, 29.6 km, direction N)
Hornsea, is an old village and hidden behind the narrow streets that are crowded with old cottages, is the beautiful freshwater lake called Hornsea Mere.
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Market Rasen, a Historic Market Town in the county of Lincolnshire (18.6 miles, 30.0 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Lincolnshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Thornton Abbey Station	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Goxhill Station	(1.9 miles, 3.0 km, direction NW)
Humberside International Airport	(5.4 miles, 8.8 km, direction S)
M180 Junction 5	(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction SW)
M180 Junction 4	(12.7 miles, 20.5 km, direction SW)
Sheffield City Airport	(47.6 miles, 76.6 km, direction SW)
Thornton Abbey to London	(148.7 miles, 239.3 km, direction S)

Accommodation & Hotels near Thornton Abbey

Hotel Name
Stop Inn Hull	(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction N)
Portland Hotel	(6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction N)
Village Hotel & Leisure Club Hull	(6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction NW)
Quality Hotel Royal Hull	(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction N)
Vale Hostel	(6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction N)
Kingston Theatre Hotel	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction N)
Clyde House Hotel	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction N)
Campanile Hotel Hull	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction N)
The Country Park Inn and Lodge	(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction NW)
The Dorchester Hotel	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction N)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts