Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
Not yet rated
No traveler reviews have been published for this experience yet.
Quick answer
Is Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley worth booking?
Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley is a 6-hour experience in York, United Kingdom, from $395 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $395 per person
What sets this tour apart is the chance to explore some of Yorkshire’s most impressive medieval abbeys in one private day from York, while also seeing the villages, landscapes and historic towns that connect them. Rathe
What you get
- Private transportation
- Commentary and storytelling throughout the route
- Pickup from the agreed meeting point or approved central York pickup location
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Fuel and parking costs during the tour
- Route planning and scenic stops
About this experience
What sets this tour apart is the chance to explore some of Yorkshire’s most impressive medieval abbeys in one private day from York, while also seeing the villages, landscapes and historic towns that connect them. Rather than joining a coach tour, you travel as your own private group of up to four guests, with hotel pickup, a local driver-guide and a route that can adapt to the day. The focus is not simply on seeing ruins, but on understanding the monasteries, the communities around them and the dramatic changes brought by the Reformation. The route combines major historic sites such as Byland Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey with places including Coxwold, Kilburn and Helmsley, giving the day a much broader sense of Yorkshire’s history and landscape. As an English Heritage travel trade partner, we can also make pre-booked arrangements at participating English Heritage sites where available, helping admissions run more smoothly and giving our guests access to any applicable benefits.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Commentary and storytelling throughout the route
- Pickup from the agreed meeting point or approved central York pickup location
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Fuel and parking costs during the tour
- Route planning and scenic stops
- Local independent driver-guide
Not included
- Food and drink
- Gratuities
- Out-of-area pickup unless agreed in advance
- Paid entry is optional. The stop can still be enjoyed from outside, with excellent views and guiding
What you'll see and do
York Minster
Begin beside York Minster, one of the great cathedrals of northern Europe. This short opening stop sets the scene for the tour: medieval religion, power, wealth, pilgrimage, architecture and the religious upheaval that later reshaped England. Admission tickets are not included. Any paid entry is optional and payable directly to the attraction, either on-site or in advance. Entry is not required to enjoy the tour, as all sites can be viewed and experienced from the exterior. Admission prices are set by the attractions and may vary.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Byland Abbey
Visit the atmospheric ruins of Byland Abbey, once one of Yorkshire’s great Cistercian monasteries. Its scale, setting and surviving architecture show how powerful these religious houses became before the Reformation changed everything.
45 minutes here
Coxwold
A beautiful historic village with strong connections to the surrounding abbeys, estates and landscapes of North Yorkshire. This stop gives guests a quieter look at village life, local heritage and the world that grew around Yorkshire’s great religious houses.
25 minutes here
White Horse of Kilburn
Visit one of Yorkshire’s most striking landmarks: the huge white horse carved into the hillside above Kilburn. This scenic stop gives guests sweeping views across the Vale of York and a sense of the landscape that connected abbeys, villages, estates and old routes across North Yorkshire.
25 minutes here
Rievaulx Abbey
Visit one of England’s most atmospheric ruined abbeys, hidden in a quiet valley beneath wooded hills. Rievaulx was once one of the most powerful Cistercian monasteries in the country, and its ruins tell the story of faith, wealth, landscape and the dramatic destruction brought by the Reformation. Guests can choose to enter the abbey, or enjoy views of the ruins and surrounding valley from outside. Admission tickets are not included. Any paid entry is optional and payable directly to the attraction, either on-site or in advance. Entry is not required to enjoy the tour, as all sites can be viewed and experienced from the exterior. Admission prices are set by the attractions and may vary.
45 minutes here · Admission not included
Stop in the historic market town of Helmsley, one of the most attractive towns on the edge of the North York Moors. This is a good chance for guests to stretch their legs, enjoy refreshments, take photos, and see how Yorkshire’s abbeys, castles, villages and market towns all connected across the landscape.
60 minutes here
Oswaldkirk
A quiet historic church stop in the village of Oswaldkirk, giving guests a more intimate glimpse of Yorkshire’s religious landscape beyond the great abbeys. This is a short atmospheric stop, useful for linking the grand monastic sites with the smaller parish churches and villages that shaped everyday medieval life.
15 minutes here
Clifford's Tower
End the tour at Clifford’s Tower, one of York’s most recognisable historic landmarks. This final stop brings the story back to the city, linking York’s religious importance with royal power, medieval conflict and the darker layers of its past. Admission tickets are not included. Any paid entry is optional and payable directly to the attraction, either on-site or in advance. Entry is not required to enjoy the tour, as all sites can be viewed and experienced from the exterior. Admission prices are set by the attractions and may vary.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
York
Meeting point: outside The Cross Keys pub, 34 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LF. The pub is on Goodramgate in York city centre, a short walk from York Minster. Please wait outside the pub entrance, not inside the pub. Look for the Cross Keys signage on Goodramgate.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Meeting point: outside The Cross Keys pub, 34 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LF. The pub is on Goodramgate in York city centre, a short walk from York Minster. Please wait outside the pub entrance, not inside the pub. Look for the Cross Keys signage on Goodramgate.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Highwayman Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for York.
How much does Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley cost?
+
Prices start at $395 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley take?
+
Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in York is not rushed.
Is Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley?
+
Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in York and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in York?
+
On Outty we rank every York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mad Alice’s The Bloody Tour of York -Best Tour Award Europe, The Deathly Dark Tour of York, Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit York?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in York?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Abbeys Ruins & Reformation : Byland, Rievaulx & lunch in Helmsley.
Pick your date
