Gisborough Priory

About

Gisborough Priory was founded in about 1119 by the Norman lord Robert I de Brus, ancestor of Robert the Bruce, as one of the first Augustinian priories in England. The canons rebuilt their church in the late 12th century and again after a catastrophic fire in 1289, which a canon blamed on a plumber who left glowing charcoal on the roof. By its suppression in 1539 it was the fourth richest religious house in Yorkshire. Today the ruins are dominated by the soaring east end of the church, carved with the heraldry of the Brus family and their heirs. The site is run by the volunteers of the Gisborough Priory Project, who lead free tours from the visitor hut. Reviewers praise the friendly volunteers, the well-kept grounds, the dovecote and the 'cathedral' of lime trees. Dogs on leads are welcome. Tip: there is no parking at the priory itself, so use the town's pay and display car parks.

Historic SiteDog friendlyToiletsGardensGuided toursDogs on leads

ClosedPick a day for times and prices

Until 6 Nov: Wed–Sun 10:00–16:00
7 Nov–28 Feb: Closed
From 1 Mar: Wed–Sun 10:00–16:00

Today, Friday 2 October

Gisborough Priory10:00 – 16:00

Free entry

From English Heritage's published calendar, updated 1 October 2026, with dates up to 16 March 2027.

PricingFreeFree for all visitors

Free entry for everyone

Entry

Free for everyone

Pricing details

Free to everyone; donations welcome for the volunteer tours.

ParkingNo car park

Arrive on foot, by bike or by public transport.

Parking details

No car park at the priory. A smaller car park is about 10m from the site gate and the main short-stay car park about 500m away; there are two long-stay car parks nearby. All have blue badge spaces and are pay and display (Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council), except that Walkers Row long-stay is free on Saturdays and Sundays.

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Nearby

Roseberry Topping

3.2 mi

Ormesby Hall

5.4 mi

Opening times may change at short notice.

Open Wednesday to Sunday and bank holidays, 10am to 4pm, from 25 February to 1 November 2026, then closed for winter. EH's booking calendar also shows 4 to 6 November open, which the place page does not mention.

Free entry. Managed by Gisborough Priory Project, whose volunteers run free guided tours from the Visitor Hut at 2pm, lasting about an hour; no booking needed, and tours may not run in very bad weather.

Accessibility: ramped access outside the neighbouring church leads to the main visitor entrance; wheelchair access across the site is limited and the ground can be muddy. There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet in the Priory Gardens.

Parking: No car park at the priory. A smaller car park is about 10m from the site gate and the main short-stay car park about 500m away; there are two long-stay car parks nearby. All have blue badge spaces and are pay and display (Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council), except that Walkers Row long-stay is free on Saturdays and Sundays.

Image: The east end of Gisborough Priory church across the priory lawns. Admiralgary, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gisborough_Priory_1.jpg

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are welcome in the priory grounds.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads may walk in the priory grounds. Free entry; no ticket or membership needed.

Leads: Leads required.