Visitor Centre

Alban Roe House is a historic building on our site, originally built in 1916. Over the years, it has welcomed both retreat guests and students, and has recently undergone a major restoration, combining its original character with modern comfort.

Today, it is home to our Visitor Experience, Tea Room, and Abbey Shop on the ground floor, with accommodation for retreats and school groups upstairs.

If you're visiting the Abbey, please follow signs to Visitor Parking at Alban Roe House. The Abbey Church is just a short walk away.

This much-loved building was blessed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols on 19th March 2024, marking a new chapter in its story.

The Visitor Experience

Our Visitor Experience offers an immersive journey through the history and monastic life of Ampleforth Abbey. The space is divided into engaging story and activity areas, where you can explore the Abbey’s rich heritage and the peaceful rhythms of monastic living.

The story area delves into the Abbey’s history, showcasing its founding, its monks’ work, and its role in the local community, while the activity section invites you to engage more personally with the monastic way of life through interactive displays and hands-on experiences.