I’ve had this one up my sleeve for a while and have been awaiting a suitable weekend when it’s dry and we’re not already on tour somewhere else. I think I first thought of it in 2008
Kirstall Abbey, West Yorkshire
The Infirmary, Kirstall Abbey, West Yorkshire
Kirstall Abbey, West Yorkshire
Oh yeah, that Leeds inner ring road – designed by Stevie Wonder
On the way through Skipton, you can’t miss the opportunity to collect a bottle of this from a whisky specialist – especially if you remember our last tour (fast forward to the bit where Muzette pebble-dashes the newly painted Porpoise II
) Oh, and yes, that’s 57.1% abv, not your average Islay single malt 
Bolton Abbey Hall, North Yorkshire – a posh summer house for the Duke of Devonshire
Bolton Abbey and the river Wharfe, North Yorkshire
Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire
Barden tower, North Yorkshire
Barden tower, North Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire
Number 119 with boiled rice, chips and prawn crackers please
Jervaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Jervaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Jervaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Jervaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Jervaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Coverham Abbey, North Yorkshire. The remains of this is actually someone’s house. But if you ask politely
Coverham Abbey, North Yorkshire
The Abbott’s house, Coverham Abbey. Big thanks to the owners for allowing us access to this
The Abbott’s house, Coverham Abbey, North Yorkshire
Coverham Abbey, North Yorkshire
Coverham Abbey, North Yorkshire
Coverham Abbey, North Yorkshire
Middleham castle, North Yorkshire, former home of Richard III
Richmond castle, North Yorkshire
Friary Tower & Gardens, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Easby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Easby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Someone once told me what these were but I’ve forgotten
Egglestone Abbey. I know what you’re thinking, that’s in County Durham. But when it was built in the late 12th century it was in Yorkshire
Egglestone Abbey, North Yorkshire
Mount Grace Priory, North Yorkshire
Mount Grace Priory, North Yorkshire
Gisborough Priory, North Yorkshire
Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Whitby, the Abbey and the river Esk, North Yorkshire
Beck Isle Cottage, Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire, the one that’s on all the jigsaws and biscuit tins
St Mary’s Church, Lastingham, North Yorkshire. Nothing special from the outside, but see the windows right at the bottom of the round bit....
....this is the crypt and the remains of Lastingham Abbey before they went off to York
Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Helmsley castle, North Yorkshire
Helmsley castle, North Yorkshire
Byland Abbey, North Yorkshire
Byland Abbey, North Yorkshire
Ampleforth Abbey, North Yorkshire
A dying trade if ever there was one
Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, viewed across the Great Lake
Kirkham Priory, North Yorkshire
Thompsons, North Yorkshire....
....It would be rude not to
St Mary's Abbey, York, North Yorkshire
St Mary's Abbey, York, North Yorkshire
Selby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Selby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Lazy lamb!
Roche Abbey, South Yorkshire
Roche Abbey, South Yorkshire
Monk Bretton Priory, South Yorkshire
Monk Bretton Priory, South Yorkshire
So there you have it, a cultural and ecclesiastical tour of Yorkshire. And the cost? Aside from diesel and food, accommodation was nil and the total cost of getting into and parking at the various places totalled less than a tenner, mostly in the honesty box at Jervaulx Abbey. “How so?” I hear you exclaim “when it costs £6.00 just to park at Bolton Abbey?” Not if you get there early it doesn’t
