BeenThere-DoneThat: Baysdale Abbey, Kildale, North York Moors.

BeenThere-DoneThat		The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain

Baysdale Abbey, Kildale, North York Moors

Location map

Photograph of Baysdale Abbey, Kildale, Yorkshire, England

Baysdale Abbey, the large gey building with the slate roof shown in the picture, is self-catering accomodation for up to 17 people. On this one week trip starting at the end of July and overlapping into August 2007 there were 14 of us. The current 19th century stone building is not an abbey but is on the site of an old priory which no longer exists except in name.

As you may notice it's not exactly overcrowded round there. It is situated, together with one small farm, in it's own dale (valley) with just one way in and out. The road starts near Kildale village and winds it's way up onto high ground overlooking the Vale of York and then winds it's way down again into Baysdale.

The only noise around here is the bleating of sheep.

It is possible to walk up onto the moors from here and, with the aid of a map, you can arrange circular walks so that you end up back at Baysdale Abbey.

This is the road runing over the high ground before it plunges back down into Baysdale. You may encounter some walkers on this road as it becomes part of the Cleveland Way for part of it's length.

The accommodation at Baysdale Abbey is quite comprehensive. There is a large farmhouse style kitchen with a very large table where breakfast could be eaten, a large utility room with a washing machine and a dryer, although there is also a washing line outside, a dining room with an enormous table and a large sitting room with a large television. These are all on the ground floor

The bedrooms and bathrooms are all on the first floor and, except for one room which has bunk beds for four and one single room, the bedrooms are all doubles or twins. None of the bedrooms are en suite but there are plenty of bathrooms to go round. Some of the bathrooms have showers in addition to baths but the shower water pressure is only just adequate.

There is a pay phone but no internet access. There is a dishwasher in the kitchen but it didn't always work very well even though the instructions were followed. The upholstery on the sofas and armchairs in the sitting room had seen better days but the seating was comfortable enough. The lady that looks after the place occupies one end of the building in a completely seperate unit and is therefore handy for problem solving.

Baysdale Abbey does not have it's own web page but a search for "baysdale abbey" will find pages for a number of agencies that handle bookings.

If you have stayed in this accommodation please leave a comment about it.


Yorkshire		England