Postcard from Rievaulx Abbey.

It was wonderful to wake up and open the curtains to see the sun appearing over the Cleveland Hills. A beautiful warm sunny day.
Such a change from yesterday.

After buying pork pies from Petch butchers in Great Ayton. ( they are thee best!) we drove to Helmsley stopping off at Rievaulx Abbey first.
The countryside was looking glorious in the autumn sunshine.
Many of the trees now taking on their beautiful autumn colours.

The Abbey was founded in 1132. The first Cistercian Abbey to be established in the North of England.
It housed a 650 strong community at it’s peak in the 1160s under its most famous abbot Aelred.
The first buildings were temporary wooden structures later began the construction of stone buildings.

It is now looked after by English Heritage.
Rievaulx is our favourite ruined Yorkshire Abbey, unfortunately overshadowed by The National Trust Fountains Abbey.
It is always a delight to spend time here. You can feel the peace, and today was especially beautiful too.
I took so many photos and so decided to put some together to make a postcard.
A very enjoyable end to our few days away.