Rievaulx Abbey lies in a hollow near the bank of the River Rye at the confluence of three valleys.

The Rye rushes on its way as it is joined by smaller streams to flow majestically on to Helmsley and beyond, leaving in its wake a sense of peace and tranquillity.

Monks in white habits from France are busy in the valley raising buildings skywards in praise of God in this awe-inspiring setting.

The founding monks at Rievaulx were sent from their Cistercian Abbey of Clairvaux to search for a place to build a monastery in England.

They arrived in Yorkshire where Walter Espec granted them land in the woods near Hemelac – Helmsley as we know it today. It was in 1132 that they built their first structure in timber, providing temporary accommodation and a place to worship.

Several years later a stone building was erected, and in 1147 under Aelred, rebuilding and expansion of the abbey commenced, sending the abbey reaching for the sky.

Rievaulx was popular and had many benefactors in its life. Over the years progress continued seemingly without difficulty as the monks, hand-in-hand with lay brothers, enjoyed the invigorating surroundings of the valley. But life was never easy as a Cistercian monk.

They had to rise in the late hours, night after night, winter and summer, year in, year out praising God and solemnly chanting in the church before returning to their basic bed, perhaps not able to sleep for the cold before being roused once more in the early morning to continue the round of religious worship.

Then at midday assembling to sit in the cold cloister and study, to read books not of their choice but those appointed by others.

Later, chores would probably include exercise and recreation in the garden or working in the fields. Other hardships to be endured were long fasts and abstinences, to keep hours of silence and to do all these things, not as an experiment, but for a life-time.

Even though Rievaulx was a successful community, it had its share of suffering, including financial problems, cattle disease and the cruellest of all, the Black Death.

At one time Rievaulx was reduced to just 14 monks and three lay brothers.

Many may think being a monk was a useless life, but not this hard-working religious band of brothers who would not exchange the hardship, poverty or their subservience to God for anything less than the ultimate sacrifice of death.


Your route

Walk from the visitor centre to exit onto the road at the rear of the car park, at the opposite end to the A165, then turn right.

At the T-junction, go left signed to Cold Kirby, Old Byland and Hawnby to walk along a quiet road, probably to be accompanied by racehorses as you pass the gallops.

Keep straight ahead at the next two junctions, continuing along into the village of Cold Kirby.

Continue along the main street, then turn right at the village seat and a clump of trees to walk along a narrow lane. In a few paces, turn left onto a grassy path at the Cleveland Way sign.

Continue along the grassy path as it bears to the right, then climbs up through trees to reach a wide forest road. Go left here for a long shallow descent with a good view across to the Bilsdale transmitter.

Eventually, enter a field through a gate, keeping straight ahead to cross the field to exit via a gate into a wood. Descend steeply now to exit at a clearing leading to a forest road. Go left onto the forest road, then follow it around to the right.

Continue along until the road bends sharply to the right, again to leave it to take a wide path to the left through the trees which then goes immediately right to a small gate, a white acorn guides you here.

Through the gate keep straight ahead over stepping stones, then bear left onto a wide forest road. Walk past the wildlife ponds to eventually reach a large gate leading out of the wood. Go through the gate, then go left onto a country road.

Walk along the road, then at the fork, keep right to soon cross a bridge. Just over the bridge, keep right unless you wish to visit Rievaulx Abbey and the valley of peace.

Keep on this road for about half a mile, then leave it to take a path beside the road on your right signed to CW and Helmsley. Not far, then turn right uphill into the wood signed Cleveland Way and Helmsley.

Eventually exit the wood and continue climbing steadily to soon reach a clearing and a small house, The Lodge. Walk past it and cross the driveway keeping straight ahead signed Cleveland Way and a notice regarding the permissive path.

This can be quite muddy at times and is well-trod as it takes you into another wood and down a steep descent then ascent on stone steps. Keep on a narrow path between the wood and a fence now then bear left uphill to a small gate to a field.

Right here into the field, then continue along through another field with fine views past the castle and Ryedale to exit through a small gate to take the wide track down into Helmsley where you have a plethora of options for refreshment.


The facts

Distance – 8miles/13km 
Terrain – Easy
Best map – OS outdoor Leisure 26 
Parking – This month’s walk is linear, park your car in Helmsley, then take the bus to Sutton Bank Visitor Centre
Start/grid ref – Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, grid ref 516831
Refreshments – At the start, finish and Rievaulx Abbey 
Public toilets – At the start and finish