Rievaulx Abbey
Beautifully situated in a wooded valley a romantic abbey
Rievaulx Abbey |
‘In the midst of the delights of paradise' so wrote St Aelfred in the twelth century and so it must have been in this deep wooded valley tucked away from the rest of the world. Today it is still a beautiful place to visit and you can imagine life as it once was in a little bit of paradise even without the sun. The majestic ruins have their own quiet dignity and like all romantic scenes evoke feelings of wonder and awe. Some things don't change and sheep still graze the fields.
Rievaulx was founded by St Bernard of Clairvaux and sponsored by Walter L‘Espec, Lord of Helmsley Castle, for Cistercians as they strove to find a closer and more personal understanding with god. At the height of its power the Abbey was served by more than 700 people including monks and lay brethren. It was suppressed in 1538 and its lands granted to Thomas Manners, Earl of Rutland and a descendant of Walter Espec.
For further information telephone 01439 798228
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
Fountains Hall
An Elizabethan mansion close to the Abbey ruins.
Fountains Hall |
After the disolution Henry VIII sold the manor and site of the monastery to Sir Richard Gresham and at the turn of the 16th Century Fountains Hall was built for Stephen Proctor partly with stone from the Abbey. It has been attributed to the influence of Robert Smythson, one of the leading architects of his day. The Trust has spent large sums of money restoring the Hall and its early history is still largely unknown. The future King George VI and the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother used to stay at Fountains as guests of the Vyner family. Two luxury apartments are available to let all year round in Fountains Hall. Taking their inspiration from the foremost designers of the early 20th Century, these apartments have been designed to accommodate three people each. They are named after the first and last inhabitants of the Hall, the Proctor and Vyner families. Rates vary according to the season - please telephone the Booking Office on +44(0) 1225 791199 or email cottages@smtp.ntrust.org.uk for further information, availability and prices.
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