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Sawley Cistercian Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery located in North Yorkshire, founded in the twelfth century as a daughter house of Fountains Abbey. The abbey was established circa 1147 and operated as a significant religious community until its dissolution during the Reformation in 1536. The site preserves substantial earthwork remains and fragmentary stone structures indicative of a substantial monastic complex, including evidence of the abbey church, claustral buildings, and associated agricultural infrastructure typical of Cistercian establishments. Sawley's involvement in the Pilgrimage of Grace, the northern rebellion of 1536, represents a notable moment in the abbey's final years before its suppression and the dispersal of its community.
Sawley Cistercian abbey and associated earthworks is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1015492. View the official record →
Sawley Cistercian Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery located in North Yorkshire, founded in the twelfth century as a daughter house of Fountains Abbey. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1015492.
Sawley Cistercian abbey and associated earthworks is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1015492.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Downham lime kiln and associated lime yard 50m north of Smithfield Farm (2.2 km), Moated site 50m NE of Holden Green Farm. (3.1 km), Bellmanpark lime kilns and part of an associated tramway 180m north west of Bellman Farm (3.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Sawley Cistercian abbey and associated earthworks's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Sawley Cistercian abbey and associated earthworks stands on Bowland High Group And Craven Group (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Bashkirian. The rock here is limestone.