English Heritage opens Rievaulx Terrace
English Heritage announced the opening of Rievaulx Terrace, an 18th century parkland that is a half a mile long featuring two Neoclassical temples. One of the temples is furnished for hosting summer dinner parties with a magnificent painted ceiling inspired by Renaissance Rome and Ancient Greece.
Visitors to Rievaulx Abbey will be able to include a walk around the Grade I listed park, which the Terrace was designed to overlook, adding a fascinating new chapter to the history of the Norman monastery.
Reportedly taking eight years to level the broad promenade, Rievaulx Terrace was completed in 1757 and was part of Duncombe Park, home of Thomas Duncombe II. The terraced walk was designed to take in the views of Rievaulx Abbey in the valley.
It is a leading example of the Picturesque fashion adopted by many of the landed gentry across the North of England at the time, each trying to outdo the last, including Duncombe’s Father. Rievaulx’s trump card being the natural beauty of the valley, whose thickly wooded slopes Rievaulx’s monks once exploited to build their monastery and fuel their iron making furnaces.
The temples were built on either end of the parkland and were intended to impress yet further and as well as a feature for guests to admire whilst strolling the grounds. The larger temple has a small basement kitchen that was used by the family for hosting summer dinner parties. Inside visitors will be able to take in the richly decorated ceiling and walls, and see original furniture made for the building as well as two internationally significant gilt settees by William Kent, a leading Yorkshire born designer.
While each attraction offers its own unique character and appeal, both promise breathtaking scenery and an unforgettable visitor experience.
Launching a new joint ticket which will enable visitors to enjoy 18th the century parkland with Neoclassical temples as well as Rievaulx Abbey ruins for the first time.
Rievaulx Abbey and Terrace are open 10am to 5pm 7 days a week until October 2026
Contact:
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rievaulx-abbey
Photographs: English Heritage
