Kirkstall Abbey

Just outside the west side of Leeds City Centre lays the ruins of a Cistercian monastery called Kirkstall Abbey.

The Abbey lays on the banks of the River Aire and was founded in 1152. The construction of the abbey took seventy five years. The abbey itself is a huge structure and although it is a ruin today you are still awe struck by its beauty and architecture.

From the time of its construction in 1152 the monastery housed many monks who practised their religion while also carrying out the many functions required to keep the monastery alive from cleaning to cooking.

Monks lived at the monastery for around four hundred years until the reign of King Henry VIII who passed a law causing the dissolution of all the monasteries in the United Kingdom. When this happened the roof was taken off the building for its lead and any items of value were looted to line the Royal purse.

After the dissolution of the monasteries Kirkstall Abbey was left to degrade over time until the nineteenth century when it was bought and handed to Leeds City Council who have owned it since.

The Abbey has a small giftshop and museum showing the items the monks would have used in their day to day lives running this amazing monastery.

It is free to visit Kirkstall Abbey and it is open at the following times:

April – September: Tue - Fri 10am - 5pm Sat – Sun 10am – 6pm
October – March Tues – Thurs, Sat – Sun 10am – 4pm

Address:
Kirkstall Abbey
Kirkstall
Leeds
LS5 3EH

Tel: 0113 2305492

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