Rosedale Abbey

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Rosedale Abbey at dawn

Rosedale Abbey is a village located in a spectacular valley in the centre of Rosedale, North Yorkshire, England, midway between Pickering and Castleton in an area of rolling hillsides and stunning scenery. The village consists of a collection of quaint cottages, pubs, a church, an art gallery, tea room, glass studio and the village green.

A Cistercian Priory of the same name once stood on the site. 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. The priory ceased to operate in 1535 due to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The building was eventually dismantled in the 19th century when the stone was reclaimed for building - including a new church on the site of the original priory.

In the 19th century a flourishing iron ore mining industry was established. The population of the valley expanded dramatically until the demise of the mines in the 1920's. The Rosedale Branch, a standard-gauge railway line, ran round the head of the valley serving mine workings on either side and ran across the moors to reach what is now the Esk Valley Line at Battersby Junction.

The long-distance path known as ‘The Abbey Trail’ links seven beautiful and historic abbeys including Rosedale, Whitby, Lastingham, Byland, Kirkstall, Fountains and Rievaulx. Walkers can marvel at the historical and ecclesiastical theme of the abbeys and in-between view the tremendous rolling countryside of the North York Moors.

In mid-August, Rosedale Show is held in the village. The show dates back to 1871 and is one of the oldest in North Yorkshire. Every year the show attracts some 5,000 visitors.

[edit] Tourism

Due to the outstanding beauty of the countryside in the dale - as with many of the UK's National Parks - tourism has developed into the major industry. Many of the smaller properties have been renovated for private holiday homes or as self-catering accommodation to satisfy the ever-increasing demand. Larger properties and farms are taking guests in bed and breakfast accommodation and the hotels, pubs and restaurants in the area are thriving.