Easby Abbey

Easby Abbey is one of the most picturesque monastic sites in Yorkshire. It is also one of the best-preserved examples in the British Isles of a monastery belonging to the Premonstratensian order, founded in France by St Norbert in 1120.

Superficially, Easby abbey's architecture resembles Cistercian models, as was often the case with Premonstratensian monasteries. On closer examination, though, Easby departs from monastic norms of planning in several ways, and presents interesting problems of interpretation.

What lies in wait for visitors today are the substantial remains of an abbey of Premonstratensian 'white canons', probably most notable for its lavish roof-height refectory built around 1300 and other monastic buildings.

Within the precinct is the still-active parish church, displaying fine 13th century wall paintings.