Name: Furness Abbey
Rating: 5.0

Furness Abbey

Manor Road, Barrow-in-Furness LA13 0PJ, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Furness Abbey is a magnificent Cistercian monastery ruin set in a peaceful wooded valley near Barrow-in-Furness. Founded nearly 900 years ago by Stephen, later King of England, it became England’s second richest Cistercian abbey. Today, it stands as one of the finest and most impressive monastic ruins in north-west England.

Visitors can explore the dramatic red sandstone ruins, including the tower, the recently conserved east end of the great church, the chapter house, and much of the cloister range. Climb the reconstructed ‘night stair’ to an observation platform for a monk’s-eye view of the abbey, and visit the exhibition displaying stone carvings, knight effigies, the rare 12th-century Furness Crozier, and a gemstone ring from an abbot’s grave.

Advance online tickets (with / without donation): Adults £8.50 / £7.65, Children (5–17) £4.25 / £3.82, Concession £7.65 / £6.88, Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) £21.25 / £19.29, Family (1 adult, up to 3 children) £12.75 / £11.56. On-the-day tickets (with / without donation): Adults £10.00 / £9.00, Children £5.00 / £4.50, Concession £9.00 / £8.10, Family (2 adults) £25.00 / £22.70, Family (1 adult) £15.00 / £13.60.

Overall, Furness Abbey offers a powerful journey into medieval monastic life. Its towering ruins, restored features, and museum exhibition create a rich and atmospheric experience. It is an ideal destination for history enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to explore one of England’s most remarkable historic sites.

Features

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Features

The stately ruins of Furness Abbey are cradled in a lovely, wooded valley. Thanks to a major conservation programme, and a reconstructed stairway, there’s now even more to explore here.
Founded by Stephen, later King of England, Furness became England’s second richest Cistercian abbey. Its red sandstone ruins include the tower and recently conserved east end of the great church; the chapter house; and almost the entire cloister east range.
We’ve also reconstructed the ‘night stair’, which monks used to descend from the first-floor dormitory to the church during the night. Climb to observation platform and enjoy a monks’ eye view of the ruins.
An exhibition at Furness Abbey features striking effigies of knights; the rare silver-gilt 12th-century ‘Furness Crozier’; and gemstone ring from an abbot’s grave.
Founded almost 900 years ago, Furness Abbey was once the largest and wealthiest monastery in north-west England. A place of prayer, piety and pilgrimage, the abbey was also a major landowner, its abbot occupying an important place in the administration of the region.
oday, Furness has some of the finest monastic ruins in England. Its buildings are witnesses to the lives of the monks who worshipped and lived there between the 12th and early 16th centuries.
There is a permanent exhibition of stone carvings and effigies in the visitor centre which is easily accessible for visitors with limited mobility. Plenty of room for children to run and play. The abbey is surrounded by large areas of rough grass and lawn.

Facilities

Parking: Car park located next to Visitor Centre entrance with space for 20-30 cars. Car park is secured with lockable bollards when site is closed. Parking is free. There is additional parking at Abbey Mill café, located at the far end of the site.
Food & Drinks: No café on site, but vending machine offers tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Ice creams and pre-packed snacks also available. There is also a café close by.
Picnic Area: Picnics welcome. Picnic benches are located outside the Visitor Centre.
Toilets: There are male, female and accessible toilets available on site.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets (With donation / Without donation)

Adult: £8.50 / £7.65
Child (5–17 years): £4.25 / £3.82
Concession: £7.65 / £6.88
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £21.25 / £19.29
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £12.75 / £11.56

On the day tickets (With donation / Without donation)

Adult: £10.00 / £9.00
Child (5–17 years): £5.00 / £4.50
Concession: £9.00 / £8.10
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £25.00 / £22.70
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £15.00 / £13.60

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/furness-abbey/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Visit the website for timing information.

Address: Manor Road, Barrow-in-Furness LA13 0PJ, UK

Post Code: LA13 0PJ

Council: Westmorland and Furn

County: Cumbria

By Car: Located 1 1⁄2 miles north of Barrow-in-Furness, off A590. Car park located next to Visitor Centre entrance with space for 20-30 cars. Car park is secured with lockable bollards when site is closed. Parking is free. There is additional parking at Abbey Mill café, located at the far end of the site.
By Bus: Stagecoach in Cumbria service 6 & X6 to within within 3⁄4 mile
By Train: Dalton and Roose 2 miles, Barrow-in-Furness 2 miles