Pictures of Kirkstall Abbey

a Abbey in the town of Kirkstall, in the county of West Yorkshire

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About Kirkstall Abbey

Kirkstall Abbey is one of Yorkshire's finest ruined Cistercian abbey's. It was founded in the 12th-century from which much of the building survives surprisingly well, although the wall of one side of the church tower does appear somewhat precarious. However, what remains of this beautiful ruin, set beside the River Aire, has recently been the subject of renovation and the romantic ruin is completely safe.

Historically, Kirkstall Abbey was founded by monks from Fountains Abbey in 1152, it flourished until November 1539 when it was closed in Henry VIII's Dissolution, and the monks pensioned off.

Over the centuries the mystery and mystique of this beautiful site has drawn the attention of the artists Turner, Thomas Girtin and Moses Griffith, all who came to paint it.

Several noted historians are believed to prefer the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey over those of the more famous abbey's of Fountains and Rievaulx. Even to the untrained eye, it is easy to understand why, for what is left is outstandingly beautiful, immediately capturing the imagination as to what this great place must have looked like centuries ago when the great bell tolled, calling the monks back from their labours.

The most impressive parts to see are the ruins of the Church, the Tower, the Transept and Chapter House. Perhaps the Cloisters where the monks would gather for quiet contemplation, reading and writing are the most evocative and tranquil part of this lovely ruined abbey.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Kirkstall 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 Kirkstall Abbey

Armley Mills Industrial Museum	(1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Bradford Cathedral	(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction W)	Pictures
Harewood House	(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction NE)	Pictures
National Museum of Photography, Film & Television	(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction W)	Pictures
Temple Newsam	(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction E)	Pictures
Dewsbury Museum	(9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
Cow and Calf Rocks	(10.2 miles, 16.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Kirklees Priory	(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Robin Hood's Grave	(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SW)	Pictures

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

Recommended towns near Kirkstall Abbey

Leeds, in the county of West Yorkshire (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction SE)
In the middle ages Leeds was a wool centre and it flourished. The sheep on the Yorkshire moors providing the wool for the cottage...
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Otley, in the county of West Yorkshire (6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction NW)
Otley is a beautiful old town with attractive buildings in medieval courts and alleyways and a lovely parish church that dates back to Norman times.
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Saltaire, in the county of West Yorkshire (7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction W)
This perfectly preserved village originated as an answer to Bradford's 'dark satanic mills', it was the brain-child of...
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Mirfield, in the county of West Yorkshire (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction S)
Mirfield is a residential town situated between Huddersfield and Dewsbury. It has a long history, and associations with Robin...
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Wakefield, in the county of West Yorkshire (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SE)
Wakefield was the capital of Yorkshire's woollen industry for more than 700 years, it was an important weaving and dying centre as far back as the 13th century.
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Harden, in the county of West Yorkshire (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction W)
Harden lies in the famous countryside area between Cullingworth and Bingley surrounded by rivers and meadows. It is a favoured commuter base for those working in nearby Bradford.
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Ilkley, in the county of West Yorkshire (11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction NW)
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Halifax, in the county of West Yorkshire (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SW)
Halifax is an industrial city close to the famous Pennines and the route of the Pennine Way in what is known as Yorkshire's "Bronte" country.
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Harrogate, in the county of North Yorkshire (12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction N)
One of the chief town's in Yorkshire's old West Riding, Harrogate acheived early fame as a Spa resort.
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Keighley, in the county of West Yorkshire (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction W)
This is an industrial town in West Yorkshire. It lies in a fold between the fine countryside of Airdale and Keighley Moors.
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All towns in West Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Headingley Station	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Burley Park Station	(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction SE)
M621 Junction 2	(3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction SE)
M621 Junction 1	(3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction S)
Leeds Bradford International Airport	(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction NW)
Sheffield City Airport	(31.0 miles, 49.9 km, direction S)
Kirkstall Abbey to London	(171.7 miles, 276.2 km, direction S)

Accommodation & Hotels near Kirkstall Abbey

Hotel Name
Village Hotel & Leisure Club Leeds	(1.2 miles, 2.0 km, direction NE)
Ascot Grange Hotel	(1.3 miles, 2.0 km, direction NE)
The Boundary Hotel	(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction E)
The Butlers Hotel	(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction E)
Weetwood Hall Conference Centre & Hotel	(1.5 miles, 2.3 km, direction NE)
Haley's Hotel And Restaurant	(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction E)
Roomzzz	(2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction SE)
Express By Holiday Inn Leeds City Centre	(2.5 miles, 4.1 km, direction SE)
Ibis Leeds Centre	(2.6 miles, 4.3 km, direction SE)
Crowne Plaza Leeds	(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction SE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts