Selby Civic Society’s summer outing took members and guests on a self-drive visit to the historic site of 12th century Kirkstall Abbey on the north bank of Leeds’ river Aire. But more of the Abbey later.
Approached from the modern A65 is the former gatehouse of the Abbey, now part of the fascinating Abbey House Museum owned and run by Leeds City Council.
Nearing the centenary of its opening in 1927, the museum houses an eclectic collection of artifacts, many of them displayed in an authentic range of 19th century Victorian shops and premises, sympathetically laid out in atmospheric and interconnected streets and alleyways.
Enjoy the local pub…but avoid spending a night in the nearby police station cell.
Visit the schoolroom or chapel. There are toy and sweet shops, Burmantofts pottery displays, ironmonger’s and pawn shops to explore. Then visit some residential properties…of the rich, and the poor.
More to see in the upstairs collections, that currently includes lots of old penny slot machines, vintage toys and games.
Across the A65 are the ruins of the Cistercian monastery, Kirkstall Abbey. Founded around 1152, some 80 years after Selby’s monastery, it looks out over extensive grounds along the river Aire.
It was pleasant to wander through the buildings and learn their history.
Fun fact…a main east to west road into Leeds for many years ran along the nave through the disestablished and ruined Abbey church. Now, the busy A65 a few yards to the north replaces that route!
On a hot day, the trip ended with cold drinks and ice creams before returning to Selby.
