Rosedale Abbey
Rosedale Abbey is a village located in a spectacular valley in the centre of Rosedale, North Yorkshire, England, midway between Pickering and Castleton in an area of rolling hillsides and stunning scenery. The village consists of a collection of quaint cottages, pubs, a church, an art gallery, tea room, glass studio and the village green.
A Cistercian Priory of the same name once stood on the site. All that is left today is a stair case, sundial and single stone pillar. Originally founded in 1158 the priory was inhabited by a small group of nuns who are credited to be the first people to farm sheep commercially in the region. The priory ceased to operate in 1535 due to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The building was eventually dismantled in the 19th century when the stone was reclaimed for building including a new church of the site of the original priory.
In the 19th century a flourishing mining industry was established. The population in the valley expanded dramatically until the demise of the mines in the 1920's. A standard gauge railway was built around the valley from Chimney bank top to Blakey Junction and on to Rosedale East at Low Barring. From Blakey Junction, the line took various materials to Battersby Junction, and then on to Middlesborough, the last mine closing in 1926. Further detail could be available in Rosedale Mines and Tramway
The long distance path known as ‘The Abbey Trail’ links seven beautiful and historic abbeys including Rosedale, Whitby, Lastingham, Byland, Kirkstall, Fountains and Rievaulx. Walkers can marvel at the historical and ecclesiastical theme of the abbeys and in-between view the tremendous rolling countryside of the North Yorkshire Moors.
In the adjacent Farndale Valley the famous wild daffodils can be seen around Easter time, and in mid-August the Rosedale Show is a very popular event. The show dates back to 1871 and is one of the oldest in North Yorkshire. Every year the show, set in the village, attracts some 5,000 people from all parts of Britain.
Tourism
Due to the outstanding beauty of the countryside in the dale - as with many of the UK's National Parks - tourism has developed into the major industry. Many of the smaller properties have been renovated for private holiday homes or as self catering accommodation to satisfy the ever increasing demand. Larger properties and Farms are taking guests in bed and breakfast accommodation and the hotels, pubs and restaurants in the area are thriving.
External links
- Interest
- Gillies-Jones Traditional and contemporary glass makers in the village
- Rosedale Parish Council
- Rosedale 9 Hole Golf Course
- Rosedale and District Show
- East Mines at Rosedale by Adrian Brown
- Tourism
- Whitby & North York Moors tourist information
- Yorkshire Coastliner Bus Service
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- Milburn Arms Hotel Accommodation, Food and Ales
- Abbey Tea Rooms Cream Teas
- History
- Rosedale Mines & Tramway Subterranea Britannica Site Records