Rievaux

[poliphilo]

After a pause in Sunderland to buy lunch, we turned right and headed home through Yorkshire. We stopped at Rievaux Abbey- a small detour that entailed climbing Sutton Bank- one of the steepest roads in Britain- and nearly getting killed on a narrow, winding, country lane by a speeding 4X4.

Rievaux was the first Cistercian house in the north of England. Even today it's a secret place-  a long way from the major roads. They charge you an exorbitant amount to park - £6.00, refundable at the gate- to deter the fell-walkers who clog up the car park with no intention of visiting the abbey.

There's a notice in the gents (probably in the ladies too) asking you not to wash your muddy boots in the sink.

I've been here before- once, twice, I forget how often- but never when the sun was shining.

Comments

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

It reminds me a little of Glastonbury, the upper part anyway.
The stone carving is just charming. Do they have a museum there?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's quite like Glastonbury- only sadder and more remote.

There's a very good little museum- and the carving is displayed there. It's about the only substantial piece of carving to have been rescued from the ruins.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

I absolutely love the relief windmill at the bottom! I wonder if the mason concerned had ever been asked to carve one before? He managed well enough, anyway.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

If he was a "free" mason, he would apparently have chosen his subjects for himself. I didn't know this. It's something Ailz picked up from going round the Rievaux museum.

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

Thumbs up for the carvings! I like the ruin photos--this place might be more gorgeous as a ruin than it was to begin with.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think that's often the case with ruins.

[litchick.livejournal.com]

Again, breathtaking photos. Wish I was there!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

Absolutely breathtaking!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.