Furness Abbey

Furness Abbey's red sandstone ruins fill a wooded valley near Barrow-in-Furness. Founded by Stephen before he became king, the monastery grew into England's second-richest Cistercian abbey. The church, chapter house and extensive east range still make its former scale apparent, while conservation work has opened more of the buildings to view. A reconstructed night stair recalls the monks' route from their dormitory to services and leads to an observation platform. In the visitor centre, look for carved effigies, an abbot's gemstone ring and the silver-gilt Furness Crozier. Reviewers often remark on the size of the ruins and recommend including the small museum. Dogs are allowed on leads. Bring a picnic or use the nearby independent cafe, and allow for soft grass after rain, which can make wheelchair access more difficult despite the ramps.