Selby Abbey
📍 SelbyNorth Yorkshire
Former Benedictine abbey founded in 1069, now a parish church with the famous Washington Window.
What’s free
Entry to the abbey (donations welcome). Guided tours are free.
About
Selby Abbey was founded in 1069 by Benedict of Auxerre and built between then and 1465. It is one of the few surviving medieval abbey churches in England and one of the largest. A fire in 1906 destroyed the choir roof and most fittings, and the abbey reopened after rebuilding in 1909.
Look out for the 15th-century Washington Window, which shows the arms of George Washington's ancestors, and the Jesse Window. Free guided tours run on set dates, and there is a coffee and gift shop.
Before you go
Opening: Daily 10am to 4pm; visiting may be restricted during services.
Still free?
Checked by our editors on 13 Oct 2026.
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