Abbeys monasteries and convents United Kingdom

Founded in the ^13th century on an island in the Lake of Menteith, Inchmahome Priory is accessible by a small ferry from the village of Port of Menteith. The crossing is included in the ticket, which allows you to visit this historic site that saw the passage of King Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. Now partially in ruins, it still retains a certain charm, thanks to its location and its stones carved in the chapter house. This haven of peace is worth taking the time to walk around and discover its secrets.

Founded in 1138 by David I, Jedburgh Abbey is one of the four great abbeys built in the Borders in the Middle Ages. It is also one of the best preserved and its influence was such that it owned as many as twenty churches in the surrounding area. Its location close to the border, however, did not bring it luck and it was a prime target during the many conflicts with England, such as the wars of independence. We still appreciate the quality of its Romanesque and Gothic architecture despite the damage of time.

One of the three Cistercian abbeys of the country and which has inspired many artists. William Wordsworth wrote in Lines Composed A Few Miles above Tintern Abbey: "Five years have passed; five summers as long / Only five endless winters! And again I hear / These waters that roll from the springs of the mountains / With a soft earthly murmur. - Again / I can admire these high escarpments / Which in this wild and almost deserted place give birth / The idea of greater solitude, and unite / The landscape to the peace of heaven. - The Day / It came for me to calm down again."

The abbey was built in 1131 by the Cistercian order and was, until 1536, the place of retreat for monks. The site, surrounded by wooded valleys and on the other by the river, proved to be favourable to their desire to return to the monastic precepts of Saint Benedict, isolating themselves to reject all forms of material temptation and seek spiritual peace.

Today, we drive under majestic arches in the open air, in a superb natural setting, to the delight of the eyes. Tintern is one of the few abbeys to have been preserved during the war led by Edward II. Today, the abbey still has the 72-metre-long Gothic church, the ruins of the domestic quarters and the novice hall. The abbots were often buried in the church, some tombstones still remain. Although in ruins, Tintern remains the best preserved medieval abbey in the country and is worth a visit.

The site was under British influence throughout the Middle Ages. Now in ruins, the place is worth a visit for its high gothic windows on the east side, the layouts of the chapter house and the refectory which give an idea of the grandeur of the heyday of piety. The marshes around the river Quoile are also interesting to walk around. Fans of Game of Thrones will not miss passing through here, as the place was used as a backdrop for a scene in the series, when the Starks asked to meet the Freys to cross the river!

Nicknamed the Iona of the East, this abbey is located on an island in the Firth of Forth. Inchcolm Abbey was founded as a priory in 1215 by David I, but Alexander I before him had already dreamed of building a place of worship there after taking refuge there during a storm. Surprisingly well preserved, it is one of the best preserved monastic buildings in Scotland. Remarkable objects include a humpbacked tombstone dating from the 10th century, a superb fresco of a funeral procession and an octagonal chapter house (1200s), as well as remarkable stone screens. The cloister is the most complete of its kind in Scotland, creating a moving atmosphere conducive to meditation. From the 14th to the 16th centuries, there were numerous English raids during the various Anglo-Scottish wars. In 1560, the Reformation put an end to its religious activity but the site remained occupied, particularly militarily. The island is also famous for its wildlife, seals and tusks from the First and Second World Wars

One of the most beautiful views is probably the one you get from the water, when the boat docks.

Practical info: Inchcolm Abbey can be visited by ferry from South Queensferry. Two companies serve the island and offer cruises, with or without a stopover on the island: Forth Boat Tours and Maid of the Forth. Count a 3-hour excursion for about £15 per adult, plus the cost of the site visit. Guided tours are available, as well as a quiz to make it more fun.

Bath boasts a splendid Gothic abbey, renovated by Henry VII and built on the site of a Saxon monastery that was the coronation ground for Edgar, the first king of England, in 973. Now restored to its original splendor, with the vibrant colors of its fan-shaped vaults, the church has a new look. Its construction, in 1499, was interrupted and resumed in 1609, resulting in a mixture of styles. During the reign of Elizabeth^I, it was nicknamed the "Lantern of the West", in homage to its immense stained glass windows: 56 scenes illustrating the life of Christ.

This abbey, now in ruins, was built in 598 by St Augustine to celebrate the success of the evangelisation of England. The building was for a long time the exclusive domain of the monks, before being used as a royal residence after Henry VIII had created his own religion and ordered the destruction of religious monuments. It contains the tomb of St Augustine and the burial places of various Saxon kings. The kings of Kent and the archbishops of Canterbury are also buried here. The site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988.

Founded in 1150, Dryburgh Abbey did not reach the levels of wealth of its neighbours, Melrose, Kelso and Jedburgh. Nevertheless, she was just as overwhelmed by the wars. In 1322, as King Edward II's army withdrew south, the soldiers set fire to it. It was one of three fires in his history. It remains a bewitching ruin. The cloister and some of the painted walls have survived admirably through the ages, but perhaps the main attraction is the tomb of Sir Walter Scott, which lies here not far from his sumptuous home.

Founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks, Melrose Abbey was heavily damaged by the English troops of Richard II in 1385. It was then completely rebuilt and most of the visible remains date from this period. Outside, some of the sculptures are very surprising, like goblin cooks and a pig playing the bagpipes. Inside, several Scottish kings are buried, like Alexander II. Above all, it contains the heart of Robert the Bruce, making it an important place of pilgrimage in the country.

This beautiful ensemble consists of the monastic remains attached to St Mary's Priory Church. Built in 1070 by Benedictine monks, it is now used to organize private events. However, we can linger in front of its facade, and in particular the beautiful window, known as Geoffrey's window. Traditionally, the site has been linked to Bishop Geoffrey of Monmouth, author of The History of the Kings of Britain, which relates the arrival of Christianity with the Celts, the departure of the Romans and the legend of King Arthur. The three sculpted heads below are those of the Knight, the Angel and the Miller. This trinity represents that of the government of the city, the Church and the business world. The panel on the left represents the coronation of King Arthur and his queen, Guinevere, in Caerleon. The central panel depicts Geoffrey writing his book and wearing the Benedictine black habit. On the right panel is King Vortigern listening to Merlin tell him the legend of the red and white dragons, the origin of the Welsh flag.

This abbey, now in ruins, is known as the oldest Christian shrine in Britain and is linked to Joseph of Arimathea. A fire destroyed the building in 1184, and the monastery, which had been rebuilt, was abandoned in 1539. Legend has it that King Arthur and Queen Guinevere were buried on the estate, but their remains were lost when the site was dissolved. Don't miss Abbot Dunstan's kitchen, particularly well preserved. There's also a small museum on site.

The splendid ruins of Grey Abbey, founded in 1193, are among the finest examples of Anglo-Norman architecture in Northern Ireland and can be the object of a pleasant and bucolic walk. The Cistercian monks also had a great knowledge of plants and their benefits. In this elegant setting, an aromatic garden has been reconstituted by an association of villagers next to the ruined building, with more than forty medicinal essences. A visit not to be missed if one passes in the area!

Taken out of the ground in 1128, Kelso Abbey was one of the wealthiest in the country during the Middle Ages. Its Romanesque style was of great quality and it had many churches, schools and farms in the Cheviot Hills. Unfortunately, the raids of the English King Henry VIII caused him much damage in the 1540s, when his son's union with the young Mary Stuart had been annulled. Although only a part of its former glory remains, you can still enjoy its unique architecture and cloister.

One of the oldest monasteries in Great Britain. Its secluded location at the foot of the Black Mountains in the picturesque Ewyas Valley makes it particularly romantic. The Augustinian priory was founded in the 12th century by Father Ignatius, a knight converted into a hermit. We discover the moving ruins in the open air, with the eight elegant arches of the nave, in both Norman and Gothic style. Parts of the transept and the massive cross-shaped tower are remarkably well preserved. A real pleasure for the eyes, far from the hustle and bustle of the world..

Next to the church stand the picturesque remains of an ancient abbey. It was built in 1115 by Robert Fitz Martin. In the nave of the ^13th-century abbey church, you can see the remains of medieval floor tiles.

Next door is Coach House, converted into a museum housing an exhibition of beautifully carved medieval stones and intriguing engraved Christian stones. The Sagranus stone, dating from the ^6th century, is the oldest and features inscriptions in Ogham, the ancient Irish alphabet.

1.5 km from the coast, the island of Caldey welcomed Celtic monks in the 6th century, replaced in the 12th century by Benedictines of St. Dogmaels who founded a priory there, then it was bought by Cistercians. The few monks who live there today, known as Trappists, follow very strict rules: seven prayers a day!

On the island, you can visit the Saint-David chapel and the monastery, but above all a very old Celtic cross on which is an inscription in ogham, an old Irish alphabet from the 6th century.

This monastery houses a congregation of Catholic missionaries (the Redemptorists, a movement founded in 1732 in Italy) who do not practice dogma (no baptism, marriage, burial...) but preach the word of Jesus in everyday life and help the poorest. The French Gothic building was built between 1890 and 1911, with an impressive stained glass rose window on the façade (6 meters in diameter). During the political events that agitated the city, this congregation facilitated talks between religious communities.

This is one of the oldest monasteries on Anglesey. Only the church is still in use. Next door are the remains of the priory and the dovecote. The latter dates from 1600 and housed 2,000 birds. The buildings contain many architectural and historical treasures. The site was chosen for the church because of its beauty and proximity to the well.

You can take the private road for 3 km to observe Puffin Island. A beautiful walk.

"La Vallée de la Croix" is a deliciously peaceful place, where meditation is a must. This Cistercian abbey is much better preserved than its twin Strata Florida. The Cistercian monks who sought isolation settled in this green and secluded countryside at the foot of the steep mountains of Llangollen. When you pass through the still valiant doors of the abbey, it is a journey through time. Here we are in the austere daily life of these disciples of God. Many of the architectural ornaments have survived the centuries.