Furness Abbey — Attraction in England

Founded in 1123 by Stephen, Count of Boulogne, it was built originally for the Order of Savigny. Located in the 'Vale of Nightshade', south of Dalton-in-Furness, the abbey is built entirely out of local sandstone. It passed in 1147 to the Cistercians, who gradually enlarged and rebuilt the original ornate church. The majority of the current ruins date from the 12th and 13th centuries. By the 15th century, it had been completely remodeled and had become the second richest and most powerful – as well as one of the grandest – Cistercian abbeys in England, behind Fountains Abbey. The Gothic-style monastery and its adjacent structures cover an expansive area of land and reach a maximum height of 40 metres above ground level.

The monks of the abbey were large landowners, and the most powerful body in what was then a remote border territory. In particular, they were heavily influential on the Isle of Man. One of the kings of Mann and the Isles is buried at the abbey, as are many of the Bishops of Sodor and Man. Rushen Abbey on the Isle of Man was built on land owned by the monks. They also owned mines on the island, and built Piel Castle to control trade between the Furness Peninsula and the Isle of Man.

Being about 70 miles down the coast from Scotland, the monks occasionally found themselves in between the frequently warring Scots and English. When Robert the Bruce invaded England, during The Great Raid of 1322, the abbot paid to lodge and support him, rather than risk losing the wealth and power of the abbey.

The Abbey was disestablished and destroyed in 1537 during the English Reformation under the orders of Henry VIII.

The Furness Abbey complex is a Scheduled Monument and Conservation Area containing five Grade I listed buildings and structures. Restoration work took place between 2008 and 2017 amid fears that part of the abbey could have collapsed.

There are many stories and sightings claiming that Furness Abbey is haunted. There are supposedly at least three ghosts which have been seen numerous times at the Abbey. First, it is said that the spirit of a monk has been seen climbing a staircase and also possibly walking towards the gatehouse before vanishing into a wall. Another sighting is that of a squire's daughter. She was known to meet her lover at the ruined abbey after the Reformation, although one day her partner took a journey out to sea from which he never returned. It is thought that the girl went back to the Abbey every day until her death to the site she and her partner once loved; the track she walked is today still known as "My Lady's Walk." There have also been many sightings of a white lady, although due to possible conflicting stories, it is unclear whether the White Lady and the ghost of the squire's daughter are of the same person or not. Possibly the most famous ghost of Furness Abbey is a headless monk on horseback, who rides underneath the sandstone arch near the Abbey Tavern; the death of this individual is linked to an invasion by the Scots in 1316.

A tunnel is said to run underneath the Abbey to both Piel Castle and Dalton Castle, allowing the monks to receive supplies and keep watch upon the local settlements. It has also been rumored that the Holy Grail and King John's missing jewels are hidden somewhere inside the...

Delightful and Spectacular Abbey Ruins set in a very picturesque idyllic valley near Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The size of the place is of a decent size with there being plenty to see and do in addition to seeing the Abbey Ruins. In the Visitor Centre there is an informative introductory exhibition about the history of The Abbey and the Monks so he can get a very clear idea of the timeline of the history of the place and also the lives of the monks. In the exhibitions you can see some beautiful artefacts that have been recovered from the Abbey such as Carvings, Columns, Efficiency, Grave Covers and other Medieval Masonry, which is displayed and there are some beautiful intricate and elaborate details on them and they are in very good condition. The one notable artefact from the exhibition is the Furness Abbey Crozier, which was recovered from a grave dig in the Abbey and the Crozier is in absolutely remarkable condition considering its age and also you can still see some of the intricate details on it, which are beautiful. The Abbey Ruins themselves are just simply beautiful and amazing as you wander and you can see the beautiful sandstone architecture which is exquisite on the eye and it is a great place to explore the sprawl of spectacular ruins and at the far end you can wander inside of the most intact areas and see the beautiful vaulted ceilings, which are wonderfully preserved and in amazing condition considering their age. You can wander up a path situated to the east of the Abbey and view the beautiful Ruins from an elevated position. In the Nave area you can also climb onto the top and view another area of the Ruins from a higher position which offer spectacular views. There is a lovely interesting display about ghostly hauntings and there are some interesting photographs to see. Overall this is an intriguing, amazing and interesting place to visit, which makes for a great and brilliant day out. Well worth a visit whilst in...

Furness Abbey, also known as St Mary of Furness, is a former Cistercian monastery situated in the town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. Built by the order of Savigny in the 12th century, the now-ruins of Furness Abbey were once among the most influential and prosperous monastic sites in England.

The surviving remains are impressive, presenting tall, looming sandstone walls with detailed carvings and a large bell tower. These ruins sprawl across well-kept green lawns and are surrounded by trees, emanating a tranquil and serene atmosphere.

Despite suffering in various wars and falling into disrepair, Furness Abbey is an important historic site, reflecting an architectural prowess of a time long past. It showcases an intriguing blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Nature has now claimed much of the surroundings, with many areas beautifully overgrown, further enhancing its charm.

St Mary's Shrine near the site was once a place of pilgrimage, and the history of the Abbey also involves the legends of the murder of an abbot and royal conspiracies.

Today, it is a popular tourist destination, maintained by English Heritage, where visitors can learn about the rich history of the Abbey, explore its ruins, and enjoy the peaceful environment. The visitor centre includes exhibits, displays, and 3D models, providing more insights into the Abbey’s past. There is also an annual Medieval Fair held...