Pictures of St Mary's Abbey, York

a Historic Building in the town of York, in the county of North Yorkshire

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About St Mary's Abbey, York

The idyllic ruins of St.Mary's Abbey form an eye-catching centrepiece in the grounds of the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens. These are all that remain of a Benedictine re-foundation by King William II in 1088 of a monastery built in 1055. For several hundred years St.Mary's was one of the wealthiest and grandest in the region.

St.Mary's was populated by monks from Lastingham who had transferred to live and work under Benedictine rule. The Prior, together with other members of the community became aware of the need for reform, this resulted in arguments, so a group led by the Prior left in 1132 to found the renowned Cistercian Fountains Abbey.

The old order at St.Mary's continued to flourish until Henry VIII's Dissolution, when it was closed and left to become the spectacular ruin we see today.

Excavated finds from the site are on display in the museum, and interestingly the ruinous building often forms a dramatic back-drop for productions of the famous York Mystery Plays.

These romantic ruins offer visitors the chance to experience a little of York's early Religious life. Together with the Yorkshire Museum, they are one of the City's "must sees" on every visitors tour of York.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near St Mary's Abbey, York.

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

Recommended attractions near St Mary's Abbey, York

Yorkshire Museum & Gardens	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)	Pictures
Lendal Tower	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)	Pictures
The Yorkshire Wheel	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)	Pictures
Treasurer's House	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)	Pictures
The Roman Bath Museum	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)	Pictures
Micklegate Bar Museum	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)	Pictures
Fairfax House	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
Jorvik Viking Centre	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
Merchant Adventurers' Hall	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
The National Railway Museum	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)	Pictures

All attractions in North Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near St Mary's Abbey, York

York in the county of North Yorkshire (0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
One of the most historic cities in Britain with overs 2000 years of history...
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Tadcaster in the county of North Yorkshire (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction SW)
Tadcaster has been at the centre of the Brewing industry since the 18th century, and today breweries remain conspicuous on its landscape.
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Husthwaite in the county of North Yorkshire (15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction N)
Set in the spacious countryside between the Hambleton and Howardian Hills, the attractive village of Husthwaite stands on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors.
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Knaresborough in the county of North Yorkshire (15.9 miles, 25.5 km, direction W)
This attractive market town lies in the high reaches of Yorkshire above Harrogate. It is overlooked by the peaceful waters of...
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Coxwold in the county of North Yorkshire (15.9 miles, 25.6 km, direction N)
Coxwold is one of those villages that appear to have changed very little with the passing of the centuries.
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Old Malton in the county of North Yorkshire (18.0 miles, 28.9 km, direction NE)
This delightful village nestles beneath the shadow of the Howardian Hills close to the rivers Rye and Derwent.
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Eggborough in the county of North Yorkshire (18.1 miles, 29.1 km, direction S)
This is a typical Yorkshire village settled close to the meeting point of North and South Yorkshire.
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Harrogate in the county of North Yorkshire (18.5 miles, 29.8 km, direction W)
One of the chief town's in Yorkshire's old West Riding, Harrogate acheived early fame as a Spa resort.
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Snaith in the county of East Riding of Yorkshire (19.0 miles, 30.6 km, direction S)
This small town appears to be almost surrounded by water, it developed along the banks of the River Aire and to the east is the Ouse.
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Helmsley in the county of North Yorkshire (19.6 miles, 31.5 km, direction N)
The town itself is very pretty with lots of interesting stone buildings set around a market square where visitors can find attractive craft and gift shops, as well as cafe's and no less than four former coaching inns.
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All towns in North Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

York Station	(0.5 miles, 0.7 km)
Poppleton Station	(2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction W)
A1(M) Junction 47	(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction W)
A1(M) Junction 45	(12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction SW)
Leeds Bradford International Airport	(24.5 miles, 39.4 km, direction W)
Teesside International Airport	(40.2 miles, 64.8 km, direction N)
St Mary's Abbey, York to London	(174.5 miles, 280.7 km, direction S)

Accommodation & Hotels near St Mary's Abbey, York

Hotel Name
Airden House	(0.0 miles, 0.0 km)
Hedley House Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)
Minster Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
The Churchill Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Blossoms York	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
Dean Court Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
The Beckett Guest House	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Bootham City Centre Guest House	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Marmadukes Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
The Cottage Hotel	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts