Roche Abbey

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Founded as a humble Cistercian monastery in the 12th century, Roche Abbey once thrived with a community of 50 monks and 100 dedicated lay brothers. Unlike its larger counterparts in Yorkshire like Rievaulx or Byland Abbey, Roche stood out for its modest size, characteristic of the Cistercian order. Although the monastery was suppressed in 1538 and most of its structures were dismantled, the stunning early Gothic transepts remain standing tall to this day, a testament to their original grandeur. These magnificent ruins are now nestled within a breathtakingly beautiful landscape, making them a true masterpiece of early Gothic architecture in Britain.