Whether you are looking for a tour of the Abbey, beautiful walks or simply a time to reflect, you are assured a warm welcome.

 

The Community

Ampleforth has been home to a Community of Benedictine monks since 1802. All visitors are welcome to join the Community in the Abbey Church for Mass and Divine Office, which is at the heart of life in the Monastery.


Visiting and Retreats

Visitors are welcome to spend the day at Ampleforth. They can take the opportunity to walk through the grounds and enjoy our Tea Room, Abbey Shop and extensive sports facilities.


Many thousands of guests also come to Ampleforth each year for a variety of retreats and pastoral courses offered by the monks, or just for a time of rest and reflection. The pastoral programme includes beach prayer walks, art and spirituality courses and wine and scripture study.


The Tea Room

The Tea Room is situated in the Main Hall next to the Abbey Church and is open Monday-Saturday from 10am-5.30pm, and on Sundays from 12pm-5.30pm. Ampleforth Abbey is home to a thriving Benedictine community which recognizes hospitality as an essential part of its work. Father Rainer, who works in the Ampleforth Abbey orchard, sees the tea room as part of the Abbey’s outreach to the wider community: “Food and drink is a great way to welcome visitors to the Abbey to take in the atmosphere of this beautiful part of Yorkshire. We want people to come and visit us, join the community in prayer and enjoy the stunning surroundings”. The Tea Room aims to serve the best in local produce, with cakes, sandwiches and meals made on site. Many of the recipes use the produce of the Abbey itself, particularly apples from what is the northernmost commercial orchard in the UK. The local flavour is reflected in the Tea Room decor, too. Paintings are by 87- year-old Father Martin Haigh who, for more than 30 years, was Arts master at Ampleforth College. The furniture is by local craftsmen Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson.

1,500 years ago St Benedict said no monastery should be without guests - guests at Ampleforth Abbey can now relax and, in holy surroundings, enjoy delicious local produce.


The Abbey Shop

The Abbey shop is run by Fr Jeremy and has a comprehensive selection of spirituality, theology and liturgy books and an extensive range of gifts, monastic produce and greeting cards

Further Details:

Address:
Ampleforth Abbey
York
YO62 4EN
Email: jbr@ampleforth.org.uk
Web: www.ampleforth.org.uk
Tel: (01439) 766000