Many businesses describe themselves as 'family-run' but few families are quite as involved in running different aspects of their business as the Burdons who run Jervaulx Abbey.
Carol, Ian, Anna and Gayle are all active participants in making this a very special place to visit and enjoy.
If you were to ask all the families living within 10 miles of Jervaulx if you could look at their photes, a high proportion of pictures would probably include the abbey ruins and tea rooms. It's perfect for every stage of life. A safe visit for toddlers who're just embarking on life on two legs, while the adults wander and maybe enjoy the odd moment's peace in the tranquil surroundings.
As they grow older, children love to play hide and seek in the beautiful Abbey ruins, while their parents chat and don't try quite as hard as they could to find them. And so it goes on. Groups of friends use it as a meeting place, gathering for a picnic or going for a walk and then enjoying the excellent cake in the tea rooms. Friends meet there for 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th birthdays. I recently saw a sprightly 90 year holding court with her family and friends in the extended tea rooms. It's now also a wedding and civil ceremony venue, so there are even more reasons why Jervaulx appears in family albums.
Carol, Ian, Anna and Gayle are all active participants in making this a very special place to visit and enjoy.
If you were to ask all the families living within 10 miles of Jervaulx if you could look at their photes, a high proportion of pictures would probably include the abbey ruins and tea rooms. It's perfect for every stage of life. A safe visit for toddlers who're just embarking on life on two legs, while the adults wander and maybe enjoy the odd moment's peace in the tranquil surroundings.
As they grow older, children love to play hide and seek in the beautiful Abbey ruins, while their parents chat and don't try quite as hard as they could to find them. And so it goes on. Groups of friends use it as a meeting place, gathering for a picnic or going for a walk and then enjoying the excellent cake in the tea rooms. Friends meet there for 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th birthdays. I recently saw a sprightly 90 year holding court with her family and friends in the extended tea rooms. It's now also a wedding and civil ceremony venue, so there are even more reasons why Jervaulx appears in family albums.
The french-sounding name comes from the times when Jervaulx was one of the great Cistercian abbeys of England, built in the 12th century. Its name means 'Ure valley' or 'Yoredale', the old name for Wensleydale. The monks were rich and powerful, largely from trading sheep and wool which was an important commodity in the middle ages. They bred and trained horses, a trade still carried on in nearby Middleham - Windsor of the North. The first Wensleydale Cheese was made by the monks, originally using sheep's milk. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Jervaulx was pillaged but substantial ruins remain.
Jervaulx Abbey is one of the largest privately owned Cistercian Abbeys in England and is open to the public - don't forget to pay your contribution in the Honesty Box. Owners Ian and Carol don't receive any government funding for the upkeep of this treasured historic monument in its stunning setting. Despite being injured in a car accident some years ago, Ian works hard to maintain the Abbey and the surrounding garden which is abundant in wild flowers.
Jervaulx Abbey is one of the largest privately owned Cistercian Abbeys in England and is open to the public - don't forget to pay your contribution in the Honesty Box. Owners Ian and Carol don't receive any government funding for the upkeep of this treasured historic monument in its stunning setting. Despite being injured in a car accident some years ago, Ian works hard to maintain the Abbey and the surrounding garden which is abundant in wild flowers.
The Burdon family created and developed the Tea Rooms across the road from the Abbey 25 years ago, and Gayle and Anna now run them. They're celebrating 25 years with the launch of a recipe book.
They also have an award-winning wedding cake business, "Where the Ribbon Ends" which has a studio and display of cakes within a section of the tea rooms.
Why don't you start your own family tradition and explore Jervaulx Abbey before enjoy cake or lunch in the Tea Rooms?
And don't forget your camera...
They also have an award-winning wedding cake business, "Where the Ribbon Ends" which has a studio and display of cakes within a section of the tea rooms.
Why don't you start your own family tradition and explore Jervaulx Abbey before enjoy cake or lunch in the Tea Rooms?
And don't forget your camera...
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