Immerse Yourself in Historic Ruins on the Jervaulx Abbey Walk
Begin your pleasant 11-mile Jervaulx Abbey walk, starting in the village of Ellingstring. Set out south-west on the Six Dales Trail, navigating past Ellingstring Plantation woods. Cross the moorland and countryside to reach the Agra Crags, before making a descent to Gollinglith Foot.
Proceed north-west along a minor road, then ascend onto the open moorland. Journey north across Agra Moor, directing your steps towards Sowden Beck Farm. Follow Sowden Beck Road, passing the eastern side of the Witton Fell woodlands.
Upon reaching the village of East Witton, take a moment to explore its simple charm. Continue north to meet the River Ure at Cover Bridge. Follow the Six Dales Trail alongside the River Ure, leading you towards the remarkable Jervaulx Abbey.
Enjoy exploring Jervaulx Abbey and traversing through Jervaulx Park, both offering a subtle blend of history and natural beauty. Conclude your Jervaulx Abbey walk by heading south across the farmland, returning to your starting point in Ellingstring, having experienced a rewarding journey through Nidderdale.
Jervaulx Abbey Walk: Maps and Tools
Visit either the OS Maps website or the Outdooractive website to view this walking route in greater detail. Both platforms offer a range of features, including the ability to print the route, download it to your device, and export the route as a GPX file. You can also watch a 3D fly-over and share the route on social media.
Jervaulx Abbey Walk: Distance, Duration, Statistics
Distance: 11¼ miles
Distance: 18¼ kilometres
Duration: 5¼ hours
Ascent: 1422 feet
Ascent: 433 metres
Type: Circular walk
About Jervaulx Abbey
Jervaulx Abbey, situated in East Witton, 14 miles north-west of Ripon in Yorkshire, England, was established as a notable Cistercian abbey and dedicated to St Mary in 1156. It holds Grade I listed building status.
The name ‘Jervaulx’ was first documented in 1145 as ‘Jorvalle’, translating from French to ‘the Ure valley’, potentially an adaptation from the English ‘Ure-dale’ or Yoredale, with the valley currently known as Wensleydale.
Originally, the abbey was a Savigniac foundation from Normandy and later assumed by the Cistercian order from Burgundy, under the auspices of Byland Abbey. It was founded in 1145 near Aysgarth at Fors and relocated a decade later closer to the River Ure. In that year, during King Stephen’s reign, Akarius Fitz Bardolph, Lord of Ravensworth, granted land at Fors and Worton in Wensleydale to Peter de Quinciano, a monk from Savigny, to establish a monastery. Initially known as the Abbey of Fors, it later assumed other names including Jervaulx and Charity. The original Fors Abbey site, known subsequently as Dale Grange and presently as the Grange, is located in the hamlet Grange, five miles west-north-west of Aysgarth.
The establishment faced opposition from Serlo, Abbot of Savigny, as it was founded without his approval. Consequently, he withheld supplying monks. Eventually, the foundation was passed to Byland Abbey, from which monks were dispatched. After enduring hardships, largely due to scant resources and infertile lands, their situation improved when Conan, son of Alan, 1st Earl of Richmond, augmented their revenues and in 1156 relocated the monastery to a more favourable site in East Witton.
A new church and monastery dedicated to St Mary were constructed there. At its zenith, the abbey possessed half of the valley, gained renown for horse breeding – a tradition persisting in Middleham today – and originated the production of Wensleydale cheese, initially crafted from ewes’ milk. In 1279, Abbot Philip of Jervaulx was killed by a fellow monk. His successor, Abbot Thomas, was initially accused but subsequently exonerated by a jury, with another monk fleeing after being declared an outlaw.
At the time of its Dissolution, documented by John Speed, the abbey was valued at £455 10s. 5d. The final abbot, Adam Sedbergh, participated in the Pilgrimage of Grace and was executed at Tyburn in June 1537, leading to the forfeiture of the monastic property to the king.
Recommended Ordnance Survey Map
The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of Northallerton & Thirsk, reference OS Explorer 302, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.
Jervaulx Abbey Walk: My Photos
The village of Ellingstring, the starting point of this Jervaulx Abbey walk.
Caravan in the Ellingstring Plantation woodlands.
Walking in the Yorkshire Dales with 43 Circular Routes
AD This Cicerone guidebook includes 43 circular walks exploring valleys, hills, and moors between Kirkby Stephen and Pateley Bridge. With OS maps, local highlights, and routes ranging from 3–11 miles, it is a year-round companion for walkers of all abilities.
Children’s play area in the Ellingstring Plantation woodlands.
Grisport Unisex Adult Peaklander Hiking Boots
AD The Grisport Unisex Adult Peaklander Hiking Boots are crafted in Italy with a durable waxed leather upper, Spotex breathable lining, and a reliable Track-on rubber sole. Waterproof and weighing just 1120g, they offer comfort, resilience, and dependable performance on demanding trails.
Log cabin in the Ellingstring Plantation woodlands.
Witton Moor as seen during the Jervaulx Abbey walk.
Grisport Unisex Adult Peaklander Hiking Boots
AD The Grisport Unisex Adult Peaklander Hiking Boots are crafted in Italy with a durable waxed leather upper, Spotex breathable lining, and a reliable Track-on rubber sole. Waterproof and weighing just 1120g, they offer comfort, resilience, and dependable performance on demanding trails.
The view of East Witton in Wensleydale, with Leyburn in the background (left).
The lovely village of East Witton.
Fifty Walks Across the Beautiful North York Moors National Park
AD Discover 50 routes across the North York Moors, from short easy strolls to challenging high-level hikes. With OS maps, route descriptions, and local highlights, it also includes the legendary 40-mile Lyke Wake Walk, described in four accessible stages.
The Old Chapel, East Witton, now a luxury holiday home.
The River Ure in Wensleydale.
Fifty Walks Across the Beautiful North York Moors National Park
AD Discover 50 routes across the North York Moors, from short easy strolls to challenging high-level hikes. With OS maps, route descriptions, and local highlights, it also includes the legendary 40-mile Lyke Wake Walk, described in four accessible stages.
The entrance to Jervaulx Hall.
Osprey Hikelite Unisex Backpack for Comfortable and Lightweight Hiking
AD The Osprey Hikelite backpack combines lightweight design with practical features, including a breathable mesh back panel, soft webbing straps, and stretch mesh water bottle pockets. With zipped storage and an organiser compartment, it is ideal for day hikes and outdoor use.
Jervaulx Abbey
A sign in the grounds of the abbey, which features a sketch by Turner, reads as follows:
JMW Turner visited Wensleydale in the summer of 1816 whilst on his tour sketching for ‘A General History of the County of York’ by Thomas Dunham Whitaker.
Osprey Hikelite Unisex Backpack for Comfortable and Lightweight Hiking
AD The Osprey Hikelite backpack combines lightweight design with practical features, including a breathable mesh back panel, soft webbing straps, and stretch mesh water bottle pockets. With zipped storage and an organiser compartment, it is ideal for day hikes and outdoor use.
His journey brought him to the ruins of this Cistercian Abbey founded in 1156. Jervaulx was once one of the busiest and wealthiest of the North Yorkshire abbeys. Its prosperity grew from sheep rearing and breeding horses. The monks here produced and sold a cheese which evolved over the centuries to become today’s world-famous Wensleydale Cheese.
The Abbey is sited near to the River Ure in a fertile valley, making it an ideal location for the Cistercian monks to settle. Turner would have been impressed with this fine Abbey built in the sweeping valley.
Peak Bagging Wainwrights with Routes to Complete All Fells
AD This comprehensive guide offers 45 circular routes linking all 214 Wainwright fells. With maps, GPX downloads, elevation profiles, and practical advice, it provides efficient yet inspiring ways to complete this classic Lake District challenge at your own pace.
Turner’s view of the Abbey is from the east in Jervaulx Park. The sketch shows the Abbey in the wide valley with smoke rising from the fields, possibly farmers burning stubble for ploughing. Enjoy a short walk on the public footpath through the parkland to where Turner stood and sketched this magnificent ruin.
Jervaulx Abbey is privately owned and relies on contributions made to the honesty box located at the entrance for its upkeep and for future visitors to enjoy its tranquil surroundings. Take time to trace Turner’s footsteps on the Turner Trails throughout Yorkshire.
Peak Bagging Wainwrights with Routes to Complete All Fells
AD This comprehensive guide offers 45 circular routes linking all 214 Wainwright fells. With maps, GPX downloads, elevation profiles, and practical advice, it provides efficient yet inspiring ways to complete this classic Lake District challenge at your own pace.
Sunset in Wensleydale as I near the end of my Jervaulx Abbey walk.
