National Trust - Rievaulx Terrace

Beautiful views over the Rievaulx Abbey and a very romantic place for a picnic. Temple and history nicely explained by the lovely guides. Enjoyed the chess and quoits game. Can borrow a rug and relax in the beautiful surroundings.

This is a great way to look down on Riveaux Abbey. A pleasant walk through woods to the Rotunda and then another flat walk along a wide grassy terrace for views of the Abbey. At the time of writing (July 2022) it's not open every day. Check the National Trust website.

Unusual for a National Trust property, but this is the first time that I don’t review it with four or five stars.The signposts lead you to a 10’ forest walk and you won’t see the ruins, and I guess that that’s why you’re here for. Take the opposite direction and in 1’ you will be at the terrace with the wonderful views.

Rievaulx Terrace is a site located in the North York Moors National Park, in North Yorkshire, England, overlooking Rievaulx Abbey and owned by the National Trust. The site is a grass-covered terrace following a serpentine course across the side of a wooded escarpment overlooking the ruins of the abbey. At either end of the terrace stand two mid-18th century follies: small Palladian temples.

Wonderful 18th century landscaped garden. The garden is essentially a parterre on the top on the top of a hill. The garden is bordered with wildflowers and trees which are festooned with butterflies, but the garden itself is simply a lawn. What makes this site so impressive is the presence of two so called temples. I say so called as the temples are copies of ancient styles, one an oblong building that would be common to Greece or Rome and one a copy of a tholos. Both are stunning on a sunny day surrounded as they are by magnificent landscapes. A particular attraction are the cuts through the forest that provide viewing avenues down to Rievaulx Abbey, far below in the valley. A truly superb place, but be warned there is no cover if the weather is inclement.

As a combined day trip after Nunnington Hall, Rievaulx Terrace is a gem in the National Trust places to visit. A beautiful woodland walk brings you to the stunning terrace overlooking Rievaulx Abbey and the valley. The temples look amazing on either end of the terrace, opulant historical follies, a nod to a different era. Ken who was the guide in the dining room folly was so interesting and informative. A great place for an pleasant afternoon stroll.

Pleasant, easy walk out through woods and back along the flat grassy terrace, with excellent views over Riveaulx Abbey through the breaks in the trees. The terrace is home to a couple of its own unusual buildings, which add some interest to the walk. Dog friendly and a reasonable amount of on site parking available. Not the biggest National Trust site but certainly worth a look, especially for members.

Beautiful views of Rievaulx abbey from the terrace above lovely walk car park and toilets

It was pretty enough but felt as though the National Trust have bought a field in which people can take photographs of the English Heritage owned Abbey next door. I took the description of landscaped grounds too literally and presumed a garden would be involved. It is a lovely view though!

Distant views, big skies, broad grass terrace created for leisurely promenading, autumnal colours, 18th century interpretations of ionic and tuscan temples, it's what Sunday afternoons are made for. Only open for few weekends each year, need to check.