Rosedale Abbey

Rosedale Abbey is a village located in a spectacular valley in the centre of Rosedale, North Yorkshire.

The small collection of stone properties sit down a steep and winding route on either side of the valley. Despite the village name, there never was an abbey here, just a Cistercian Priory once existed but all that is left today is a staircase, a sundial and a single stone pillar. Originally founded in 1158, the priory was inhabited by a small group of nuns who are credited with being the first people to farm sheep commercially in the region.

Around the head of the dale is a cinder track with the relics of the 19th-century ironstone mines which gave rise to a population explosion in the village.

Rosedale is a popular area for walks and mountain biking. One easy walk is the Rosedale Mineral railway walk that gives you some good views of the dale, click here for the route map.