Surrey Archives

Visiting Brooklands Museum, Surrey: practical guide for first-time visitors

Brooklands Museum, in Weybridge, Surrey, is on the site of the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit. This guide was updated in June 2026. Admission is temporarily cheaper than usual: a UK government VAT reduction has cut the price of standard tickets for visits between…

Rievaulx Abbey near Helmsley in North Yorkshire.

7 of the best Cistercian monastic ruins in England

Discover seven of the best Cistercian monastic ruins in England. Explore the history and architecture of these great religious sites, including Rievaulx and Fountains. The Cistercian order arrived in England in the 12th century. They founded houses in remote, often wild, locations. Their goal was…

Visiting Waverley Abbey: A guide to the historic Cistercian ruins in Surrey

Waverley Abbey guide: England's first Cistercian monastery in Surrey. Free entry, riverside ruins, 2026 opening times, parking, and historical insights. Overview: History, what to expect, and unique features of Waverley Abbey Waverley Abbey is a stunning, picturesque ruin of the first Cistercian abbey established in…

Whitby Abbey in Whitby, North Yorkshire.

7 of the best ruined abbeys you can visit in England

England’s ruined abbeys are evocative reminders of a lost medieval world. The Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII caused their destruction. These sites offer a tangible connection to England's spiritual and political history. Visitors can expect to explore magnificent Gothic architecture. They stand…