The ruins of Gisborough Priory
On Easter Monday I wasn’t sure whether I should take you on a little local walk, or something more grand. Well, Gisborough Priory was once very grand indeed. Now just a ruin, it nevertheless sits at the heart of one of North Yorkshire’s finest market towns, Guisborough.
English being the funny old language that it is, Guisborough town is spelt with a ‘u’, but Gisborough Priory and nearby Gisborough Hall are spelt without. You can check the Wikipedia links for the where’s and why for’s later, but it’s time to grab your coat, and off we go.
From the car park, at the back of Westgate, turn right down Bow St. The houses are an appealing mix of stone and whitewash. In gentle sunshine, a magnolia unfurls. Just before the railway bridge, a series of steps lead up to a footpath. If you turn left, it crosses over the bridge. The railway is long gone but it makes a pleasant enough path around the back of Guisborough.
This magnolia’s a beauty!
Choices! Choices!
You can turn right and head for the forest, but beware! You never know what creatures are lurking in these woods. It’s ok though- most of them are friendly.
Good morning Mr. Fox!
Sssh! Don’t wake the owls!
But today we’ll take the shorter route. Choose the junction to the left, signed Cleveland Street Trail, and follow the path. You will cross an open field and might have a friendly encounter with a sheep or two. A frisky herd of horses live at the top of the field. Normally they’ll just keep an eye on you. Don’t panic if they come to investigate.
The trail ends opposite this gatehouse
Nice, isn’t it?
Not this grand entry for you, though! Tradesman’s entrance! A few yards to the left, a more modest footpath skirts the boundaries and takes you along the Monk’s Walk, through the woods.
And there’s the priory, across a field
There’s not much to it, when you get up close. Gisborough Priory is a ruined Augustinian priory. It was founded in 1119 as the Priory of St. Mary by Robert de Brus, an ancestor of the Scottish king, Robert the Bruce, and became one of the richest monastic foundations in England. In 1289 a fire destroyed much of the Romanesque Norman priory, but it was rebuilt in yet grander style.
The priory was prosperous until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540. At this time it was demolished and the stone re-used in other buildings in Guisborough. The east end of the church was left standing- a rather romantic image.
With rather pleasing arches
If you are interested in the history there is a quite substantial amount of it in Wikipedia. Also on the site are fragments of the lower courses of the west range, a vaulted undercroft, a gateway and a 14th century dovecote, along with the Priory gardens.
Gisborough Priory is an English Heritage site and instructions on getting here are contained in the link. There’s also the cutest ‘Brother Ted Bear’ for sale but I warn you, he doesn’t come cheap. Nor does the parking in the main town car park. You can also walk from nearby Pinchinthorpe through the Guisborough Forest into town if you’re feeling energetic.
In Guisborough centre you will find a number of tearooms- mostly hidden around corners, so poke about a bit. A more substantial meal can be had in several of the pubs on the main street.
So there you are. I hope you have a lovely day! If you would like to join in with Jo’s Monday walk, it’s simple enough. You can link a post back to me, or you can simply leave a link to a walk you like in my comments below. It can be as elaborate or as simple as you like, and you can join in any day of the week. I just like to see where you’ve been. Nosy, I guess. Happy walking!
First up, Yvette’s taking us to Richmond, VA :
http://priorhouse.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/short-walk-around-my-town-jos-mw/
Then Amy- avoiding the snakes, I hope! :
http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/jos-monday-walk-countryside-part-2/
And Dale, having fun in the sun :
restlessjo 
This my type of wander recce I would check out the location and return at either end of the day for that attempt at something different. Your blog will become a fabulous archive of your travels enjoy Poland.
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Thanks, Scott. As you well know, there are so many nice places to wander to. I’d like to get up your way more but it doesn’t seem to happen. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Locating Frankenstein's Brain.
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Wow, you have really …. got people joining you on your walk – fantastic. Maybe I should join in too. You’re such a fantastic “story” teller .. and photos!!!! So glad to see that you have the same blue sky as I have.
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Hi Vivi 🙂 Laundry all done and organised after your weekend of fun? Yes, join in why don’t you? I have one more walk this Monday then it’s Poland for 10 days so I won’t be posting 🙂 Hugs, honeybun.
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Wow. Poland …. wonderful for you!!! Are you going alone .. or is Mr going too ????
It was a really relaxed Easter with fantastic weather. Yes, laundry done, but not organised at all – tomorrow, after my visit to the day clinic .. my monthly button rinse out.
I will miss you – but I can understand that you will not be posting.
Hugs …
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Mr. B, and Dad, of course, for a wedding. And then a romantic (I hope 🙂 ) couple of days in the mountains south of Krakow while Dad goes to see the rest of the family.
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Lovely day for a stroll! And I’ve given up on figuring out the spelling here.
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I think that’s probably a good idea, TBM. You can always claim you’re spelling it the American way 🙂 Thanks for strolling with me.
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Ah we all love the romantic ruins don’t we Jo 😉 Love the way you framed your pictures . Funny but when I read that sign … I thought it said shapewatch cycle trail Lol … … and NO … I’ve not had lots of Chocolate Eggs this Easter either 😉
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Can’t beat a romantic ruin, Poppy. 🙂 And just down the road Emily was roaming those moors looking for Heathcliff. Aaah!
Hope you had a nice Easter, eggs or no. I didn’t get any at all 😦
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Ohhhh, I feel my long buried desire to explore awakening with your pic strolls. thanks for sharing. lovely. vw
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You never know what you’ll find on a Monday morning stroll 🙂 You’re welcome to come along any time.
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🙂
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Love this heritage site – would want to be there! Thanks for a great tour!
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It is beautiful, Mahesh, in a stately English way. Many thanks for your company 🙂
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Oh these images would be great for the book I just finished, “The Fall of the Giants.” By ken Follett. Have you read it? You captured the essence of the book and probably didn’t even realize it. Just gorgeous.
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No, I haven’t Laurie, but it sounds like it should go on the book list 🙂
Many thanks, hon. Lovely to have you back!
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Lovely! Added to Places I want To Go…
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Thanks, Minou 🙂 It’s a nice spot for a lazy kind of day, if you’re feeling that way.
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I’m always up for a bit of lazyness…not sure that is a word but it suits me.
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Ta-da!
Not an extravagant post, but some nice pictures none the less.
http://diaryofaninternetnobody.com/2014/04/22/monday-walk/
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It’s lovely 🙂 I’m just in the process of adding it to my post now. Cheers, Dale.
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Wow! Your first photograph is so dramatic and tells quite a story. I can close my eyes and almost envision the priory in its former glory. Lovely walk, Jo!
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I was pleased with that one too, Elisa 🙂 Did you have a good Easter?
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I really like the end of the trail, and I won’t even mention the owls. Ok I mentioned them, but it won’t go on about them and how I love them and blah, blah, blah… 😉
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Every time I post owls now, I think of you. How soppy is that, Gem? Feel free to go “blerrrh-yuck”, but it’s true 🙂
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🙂
xxx
❤️
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I think that every magnolia is a beauty 🙂 and this one in particular. Love the way you photographed it Jo, and the imposing ruins 🙂 I am slowly recovering (from everything). Will make my reappearance this Thursday. I just opened WP to see what you and Amy had been up to :). See you soon Jo. (when are you leaving for Poland, again?)
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Hi Paula 🙂 I’ve checked a couple of times to see if you were back so I’m delighted that you have popped your head over my fence this evening and that you are getting back to your normal self. I will look forward to Thursday’s Special.
I have one more walk for next Monday and then I will be shutting up shop and flying to Poland on Tuesday. Take care till Thursday! Hugs!
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Hi Jo, Here is my Monday walk for this week http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/jos-monday-walk-countryside-part-2/ Hope looks good to you 🙂
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I bet it’s a sunny one, Amy 🙂 It’s grey and wet here today so I’m looking forward to this. Many thanks again for taking part.
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Hello dear Jo – well I am in for this week. I found four things to highlight in a quick walk around out town here in RVA.
http://priorhouse.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/short-walk-around-my-town-jos-mw/
Hope you have a nice week. 🙂
~yvette
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Thanks a lot, Yvette. It’s wet and miserable today but I’m busy trying to organise our trip to Poland next week so no worries. 🙂
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Poland???? oh baby – now I am excited – because you know that “we go” wherever “restless Jo” goes!!! ha! and so I look forward to any pics you share. Have a nice day of lacking and hope you stay warm and dry…
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A thrilling fun walk. Full of unexpected surprises and adventure. Wonderful images my friend. Happy Easter to you and your family.
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The more company on my walks the better, Mr. B 🙂 This is a lovely part of England. Thank you for joining me.
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Now that was such a lovely walk yet again Jo and such stunning shots! I just can’t get enough of your walks. Always so interesting and fun. I just love those old buildings and arches and that magnolia is so beautiful. Thanks for another virtual adventure hon. 😀 ♥ Big Hugs ♥
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It’s amazing how much variety I can have in my walks, Sonel. When I look back at my photo albums there are lots of places I’ve been, and that’s before the camera starts snapping! It’s become an addiction, but a rather nice one 🙂 Thank you for enjoying it with me.
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