Ampleforth Abbey

Ampleforth Abbey and College, established in 1802 is set in 2000 acres of woodland and farmland at the foot of the North York Moors. Ampleforth Abbey is a residential college and also home to a community of monks who live according to the Gospel and the Rule of St Benedict.

It is open to day visitors, can be booked for retreats, overnights stays, family gatherings, business events and there is a fully equipped sports centre with newly refurbished 25m swimming pool, a multi-purpose sports hall, three squash courts and a fully equipped, air-conditioned fitness suite. There is also golf located in the nearby village of Gilling East and cricket ground on site.

Accommodation at Ampleforth is available is several locations on site. The Archway, which has comfortable rooms and is situated close to the Abbey Church and with four en-suite rooms with tea and coffee making facilities. The Grange, retreat accommodation offers twin and single rooms and a spacious ground floor double room that also has wheelchair access. Some are en-suite and some rooms overlook the peaceful and beautiful monastery grounds. Two conference rooms in the Grange are where retreat talks are given and there is also a library and a chapel for the use of guests.  Hot drinks can be made in the large well-equipped kitchen. Occasionally a bar will be opened in the evening after Compline. There are three single rooms and six twin rooms in The Guesthouse, plus a cosy lounge and small kitchenette

Meeting and Conference Spaces at Ampleforth include a variety of options which are fully equipped with high quality AV equipment. Businesses can book these at competitive rates for day meetings, and a range of catering options including finger buffets, hot meals and tea and coffee throughout the day.  An events co-ordinator is assigned to each event to assist throughout the day.  

The Ampleforth Abbey Shop offers a range of gifts, books, greetings cards and memorabilia, many of which that are supplied by local producers. Ampleforth produce is also available as we have been growing apples for over 200 years and the Ampleforth Abbey Orchard now has over 2,500 trees in over 10 acres and is one of the largest commercial orchards in the North of England. With over 50 varieties of apple, Ampleforth’s Cider Mill presses a blend of dessert and culinary apples. Regular tours throughout the summer months are available and bespoke tours for larger groups can be arranged. 

A wonderful team of volunteers run the Visitor Centre and they have a vast amount of knowledge about Ampleforth and tell the day-to-day life of the monastic community and the vows they take, the history of Ampleforth Abbey and College and the orchard and cider production, as well as a video compiled by the Community.  Children can enjoy completing the “Mouse Hunt” and arranging the clues to obtain the password to the Abbey!

The Tea Room, uses locally produced products, homemade cakes and scones, light meals, salads and snacks and is furnished with the famous Robert ‘Mousey’ Thompson tables, is situated in the centre of the Ampleforth campus and provides a welcome respite and nourishing refreshments. Enjoy a glass of Ampleforth Abbey Cider, a beer or glass of wine or Yorkshire Tea and freshly ground coffees.

Ampleforth Abbey, York, YO62 4EN

Tel: +44 1439 766710
Fax: +44 1439 788132
E-mail: webmonk@ampleforth.org.uk

Location

Located in the foothills of the North Yorkshire Moors and covering over 2,000 acres of North Yorkshire valley, farmland and woodland, Ampleforth appears remote and hidden away.  However, main road links from Thirsk, Harrogate, York, Pickering and Northallerton make us surprisingly accessible. We are just a 45-minute drive from the centre of York, 50 minutes from Harrogate and 25 minutes from Thirsk by car.  If you are planning to arrive by coach, please contact us before arrival.  Please note, we have a 10mph speed limit on site and we ask that drivers adhere to the speed restriction to ensure the safety to all pedestrians on site.  All cars should be parked in designated parking areas.  We are a non-smoking site.