St Mary's Abbey

One of the largest of York's attractive parks and a real favourite with visitors and locals alike.

The Museum Gardens extend from the back of King's Manor and Exhibition Square down to the banks of the River Ouse.

Central to the Museum Gardens is the classical building which houses the fascinating Yorkshire Museum.

Entrances to the gardens are on Museum Street at the junction of Lendal Bridge; at the side of King's Manor; Marygate (off Bootham); and from the riverside walk.

The gardens are ideal for a stroll or for relaxation. In every corner an historic treasure can be found.

The ruins of St Mary's Abbey are impressive. The Abbey has its origins in 1086 when Alan, Count of Brittany, granted St Olave's Church and adjoining land to Abbot Stephen.

King William gave royal approval and his son, William Rufus came to York in 1088 and as well as granting the monks further land, laid the foundation stone of the abbey church.

The early abbey church, of Romanesque style, was replaced by a new Gothic church in the 13th century.

The Hospitium

The ruins of the Gothic church rise above the sloping lawns today.

Other ruins of the abbey are located in the lower level of the Yorkshire Museum along with displays about the abbey.

On the lower ground near the river a group of buildings including granaries, stables, a bakehouse, a brewhouse, a mill, a fish house and a tailor's workshop once stood.

All that remains is part of a 15th century water gate and a two-storeyed 13th century building, the Hospitium, which has a stone-built lower floor and an upper storey which is probably the oldest timber-framed structure in York.

Nearby, at the Marygate entrance, is the 15th century gatehouse to the abbey which had a suite of rooms for important guests.

Also standing in the grounds is the York Observatory, which has been used for more than 150 years.

Built in 1831-33, it has now been restored and contains the 1850 Thomas Cooke telescope and exhibits the history of observatory and scientific instruments.

At the entrance to the gardens from Library Square are the ruins of St Leonard's Hospital, as well as the remains of the Roman Legionary Fortress Wall, surviving up to parapet level, and the west corner of the Roman Fortress, known as the Multangular Tower.

Further details:

Open: Gardens generally 8am-dusk. Observatory Dec-Feb Thu 6-8pm, by appointment and for hire for special occasions, ring for details. Hospitium available for private hire.

Admission: Free.

Facilities: Public toilets in the gardens, mobile catering facilities (including ice cream) during summer.

Disabled access: Paved paths round most of the gardens (some slopes) and ramps up to museum.

Contact: (01904) 687687.

Email: yorkshire.museum@ymt.org.uk

Website: www.york.yorkshire.museum

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