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Waverley Abbey

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Waverley Abbey - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

Waverley Abbey

Farnham, Surrey, England

Celeste Neill

19 may 2022.

About Waverley Abbey

Waverley Abbey is the first monastery founded in the British Isles, and dates back to the early 12th century. It is situated around 2 miles southeast of Farnham, Surrey, in a peaceful bend of the River Wey.

History of Waverley Abbey

Waverley Abbey was founded by Bishop William Giffard of Winchester in 1128 and became home to a select group of Cistercian monks who emigrated from France. It became the springboard for the reforming Cistercian religious order in southern England. By 1187 there were 70 monks and 120 lay brothers in residence. The monks and lay brothers were active in the Cistercian wool trade and provided shelter for travellers and created an infirmary for the sick.

It followed the traditional plan of a Cistercian abbey and featured a large church, a chapter house and the monks’ dormitory. The abbey suffered a series of floods in 1201, causing it to be substantially rebuilt on higher ground. King John visited Waverley in 1209, and Henry III in 1225, with the new church dedicated in 1231. Waverley Abbey produced the famous Annals of Waverley, an important written source for the period, and continued to grow in the 14th century.

Due to the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, the site passed to Sir William Fitzherbert, treasurer of the king’s household. Much of the site was dismantled and some of the stones were then taken to build nearby houses, including Sir William More’s house at Loseley.

Waverley Abbey today

The impressive ruins remaining today include that of the lay brothers’ quarters, at the far end of the site. The long cellar has graceful columns supporting the vaulting above. Parts of the upper floor and the south wall remain standing and some r emains of the chapter house are also still evident.

A stretch of wall to the east of the church is part of the abbey’s infirmary chapel, alongside earthwork remains of a water supply system and the fishponds which provided one of the staples of the monks’ diet.

Getting to Waverley Abbey

Waverley Abbey is situated 2 miles southeast of Farnham, off the B3001. There is a small car park at the abbey – the ruins are a 5-minute walk.

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A visit to Waverley Abbey, Surrey

A visit to Waverley Abbey near Farnham in Surrey will take you back 900 years, to a time when the site was home to a bustling monk community.  Today the abbey lays in ruins in a meadow, but remains a popular attraction for history-lovers and families in Surrey.

Waverley Abbey is one of the most important religious sites in Britain.  It is not far from where we life, so we stopped for a visit after a day out at the Rural Life Centre in Farnham .  We have since been back to enjoy it at other times of day.

In our guide to Waverley Abbey, we share everything you need to know for your own visit, including practical information on how to get there, opening hours and where to eat.

Contents: click to jump to a section

The short walk to Waverley Abbey

From the car park, it’s a picturesque, riverside stroll to the abbey ruins.  The walk is flat and takes less than 10 minutes.

Leading you along the River Wey, it’s a scenic route with open fields, grazing cows and a pretty river. Across the river you’ll be able to see Waverley Abbey House, an elegant building, now used as a Christian centre.

At the end of the path is a kissing gate which leads into the meadow, where you’ll find the ruins of Waverley Abbey.

You can take dogs, but they must be on a lead.

A brief history of Waverley Abbey

Waverley Abbey was built for Catholic monks over 900 years ago and was the first Cistercian abbey in England.  Its founder was William Gifford, the Bishop of Winchester, .

Built in the 1130s, the monastery started as a simple building and was originally home to just twelve French monks and an abbot.  Over time, the monk population grew significantly and the abbey became the site of a thriving community.  It reached its heyday when 190 monks and lay-brothers resided at the monastery.

In the 13 th century,  flood damage from the River Wey ruined the original building, so they needed to build a new one.  Significant reparation works resulted in a bigger, more impressive Waverley Abbey.  Subsequently, the abbey continue to grow into the next century and the monks became an active, thriving community.

However, following King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, the abbey was given to the King’s treasurer and later mostly demolished.

The ruins you see today at Waverley Abbey are from the grander, replacement building.  As you approach the ruins, you’ll appreciate the significant size of the site.

A guide to Waverley Abbey

Today, English Heritage manage this historic attraction.  Admission is free, so everyone can visit.

Now, don’t expect to find a Visitor Centre or staff at Waverley Abbey.  It really is just abbey ruins in a meadow!

However, this just adds to the experience. If you go at the right time, there will be nobody here and you can imagine you discovered this historic treasure yourself.  It’s an informal setting and visitors can wander at leisure around the historic site.

Information boards around the perimeter provide information about the abbey and what life used to be like here.  However, the best way to visit Waverley Abbey is to download an audio guide from the Heritage Centre website.

The audio commentary provides a step-by-step guide to each room and what it was used for.  Although  Waverley Abbey is now in ruins, it’s clear to see the footprint of the former monastery. Some areas are still in good condition and you can visualise how the buildings were used at the time.  Some of the highlights are the monks’ refectory and dormitory.

There may be adders in the long grass, so be careful where you are walking.

Other things to see at Waverley Abbey

Waverley church.

As well as the abbey ruins, you can see the ruins of the large abbey church, where the monks would go to pray.

The Waverley Abbey Yew

Another good reason to visit the ruins of Waverley Abbey is to see its award-winning ancient yew tree.

The Waverley Abbey Yew has recently been awarded the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year Award 2022.  The magnificent old tree, with its multiple trunks, has been on the site for over 500 years.  It has probably been growing since the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536.

It’s a spectacular tree, which looks amazing at sunrise, when the sun peeps over the top.

Dragon's Teeth

From the ruins of Waverley Abbey, take a short walk to the banks of the River Wey for a look at the Dragon’s Teeth .

Dragon’s Teeth are pyramid-shaped concrete blocks, built as anti-invasion defences to stop German tanks   They were introduced in the 2 nd World War, as part of an enormous defence line across the South of England.

The anti-invasion defences would have slowed the enemy down and protected London from any impending invasion.  You can also see several pill boxes in the nearby fields, which would have been used for protection.  Luckily, the defences were never used.

Practical information for your visit

Opening hours.

As there’s no ticket office, you can visit at any time during daylight hours.

Getting to Waverley Abbey

Waverley Abbey is located 2 miles from the market town of Farnham in South East England.  It’s only 10 miles from Surrey’s county town, Guildford .

The easiest way to visit the abbey by car. The postcode for Waverley Abbey is GU9 8EP.

You can access it via the B3001 or junction 10 of M25.  There is a a very small free car park by the entrance to Waverley Abbey House.  Parking is free.

Alternatively, if you are using public transport, the nearest train station to Waverley Abbey is Farnham.

Regular, direct trains run from London Waterloo to Farnham and take just over an hour.  However, when you get to the station, it is two miles to the abbey.  You could walk there, by following Waverley Lane, or take a taxi, which would take 5 minutes.

Eating near Waverley Abbey

Although you can’t buy any food on the site of Waverley Abbey, there are several nearby options for eating.

Visitors to Waverley Abbey can  enjoy refreshments at the café in Waverley House, a Christian centre, just a short distance from the car park.  They serve speciality coffee, cakes, and lunches.  Afterwards, you can walk around the estate at Waverley House.

If you’re looking for a longer walk from Waverley Abbey, head to the pretty village of Tilford.  The Barley Mow is a traditional, award-winning English pub overlooking the cricket green and serves great food.  If you’re too early for the pub, stop at Little Latte, a coffee shop adjacent to the pub or Momi’s Pizza, the resident pizza shack.

Have you been on a visit to Waverley Abbey in Farnham?  Please feel free to comment below.

You may also enjoy:

• 10 things to do in Farnham with kids
• A circular walk to historic Runnymede
• A visit to the Sculpture Park, Farnham
• 7 great walks in Surrey with kids

Pin for later:  A visit to Waverley Abbey, Surrey

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Visit Waverley

Waverley is located in the south west corner of Surrey, and named after a Cistercian Abbey,  Waverley Abbey ,  on the outskirts of Farnham, the Borough of Waverley is an oasis of quiet rural charm but has plenty of  things to do  to ensure you have a visit to remember.

Nature and history have combined to create a landscape filled with literary and artistic associations which inspired the writings of poets and authors, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Lord Alfred Tennyson. 

You can follow in their footsteps, as well as those of the modern-day Hollywood actors and directors who are increasingly falling in love with the area and using it as a backdrop for films including War Horse, Gladiator, The Holiday and Snow White and the Huntsman. Take a look at the  Film Location  page.

Visitors can bike, ride or walk the bridleways and footpaths of  The Greensand Way .

You can visit the large areas of National Trust heathland at   Hindhead ,  Frensham  and the Nature Reserve at  Thursley . 

And, with the River Wey winding its way through the towns and villages there are also miles of riverside walking for you to explore. 

A wealth of independent  restaurants, pubs and coffee houses  along the way, also mean visitors have plenty of places in which to relax as they discover this beautiful area of Surrey.

Waverley's bustling market towns  are steeped in historic buildings, some dating back to the 15th century. 

With a variety of unique and independent shops also on offer it is a perfect, relaxing day out – and as you take a walk through the historic streets, don’t forget that you can discover more about their  history  at the towns’ museums including Godalming’s links to the Titanic and how Haslemere is home to an Egyptian Mummy.

Waverley's towns and villages host a variety of local festivals and their calendar of  events  will entertain a wide range of interests, including arts and crafts, music and theatre, local food and drink.

For ideas and inspiration for visiting the Waverley area of Surrey with a group, view the  Waverley Group Travel Guide

Wherever you travel around Waverley’s towns and villages, you are assured of a warm welcome to this beautiful corner of Surrey.  Come and  stay in Waverley .

Download our guide to Waverley

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Enjoy a car free visit to Waverley, Surrey

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It has been recently reported that 48% of the population in the UK describe themselves as Christians, but only 6% of people read the Bible at least once a week.

Paul tells us that if we want to transform the world around us, we must first be transformed.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. ” Romans 12:2

To be transformed requires us first to be informed. And there is no better place from which to be informed than the Word of God.

“ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16

Imagine a world where more and more people are reading God’s Word and being discipled every day. We would see transformation like never before – in individual lives, communities and nations.

It’s for this reason that we want to make Every Day with Jesus, our daily Bible study, available to every person on the planet.

The Bible is transformational, and we can see this especially in prisons.

Every Day with Jesus is a significant resource with over 10,000 people using the devotional in prisons across the world. In these places that lack hope and where transformation is desperately needed, lives are being changed by the power of God’s Word.

This Christmas, your generosity could help to disciple people at a time in their life when they most need God’s help.

“When I took about 20 copies of Every Day with Jesus into the unit they all disappeared in about 30 minutes.” Prison Chaplain

In a place that lacks hope and where lives desperately need to be transformed, printed copies of Every Day with Jesus will continue to change lives. One prison chaplain told us, “When I took about 20 copies of Every Day with Jesus into the unit they all disappeared in about 30 minutes.”

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On 1 January 2024, we are launching the Every Day with Jesus mobile app, resourcing Christians all over the world in personal revival. We’re making the app free to use, user-friendly and accessible to all, including features like audio and the ability to change text sizing. The app will also have two different study options: the contemporary Every Day with Jesus, and a daily thematic selection of Selwyn Hughes’ original writings.

We know that some people prefer print so we have also released a new devotional book, Every Day with Jesus: A Daily Devotion for Personal Revival, based on the writings of Selwyn Hughes. This is available now for pre-order .

Reaching a new generation

We’re passionate about seeing a new generation encounter God, be transformed and change the world. Making Every Day with Jesus available via an app is the most natural way to do this. Through this we will encourage people who use their phones in many other spheres of life to prioritise time spent in God’s Word in a way that works for them.

A supporter told us, “I’m so glad that you have the foresight to move with the times… I can understand that an app will allow more people to access the Word of God.”

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Please pray with us as together we pioneer this significant work to equip the Church and to transform individuals, communities and nations.

The Every Day with Jesus ministry for revival is only possible with the faithful prayer and generosity of our supporters.

Do you want to see individuals, communities and nations transformed as they engage with the Bible? A gift from you of £25 or more would enable us together to ensure that the life-changing devotion Every Day with Jesus reaches people in prisons, across nations and throughout generations.

This Christmas, please help us to continue to provide ways for everyone, everywhere, every day to encounter God through the Bible.

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In the event that donations exceed immediate requirements, any surplus funds will be used for Waverley Abbey’s vision and mission.

Discover Waverley Abbey Ruins Near Guildford

By: Author Angela Price

Posted on Last updated: January 30, 2024

The 900-year-old ruins of Waverley Abbey are all that is left of England’s first Cistercian monastery.

Once one of Britain’s most important religious sites, the ruins stand majestically in a meadow beside the flowing River Wey in Farnham, offering visitors a glimpse into an ancient past.

English Heritage maintains the ruins, and they are free to enter. Visitors can wander through the site and imagine, with the help of information boards, just what the abbey would have looked like in its heyday.

This article may contain affiliate links – For more information, please read my  disclaimer and privacy policy.

Table of Contents

The History of Waverley Abbey

Waverley Abbey was founded in 1128 by William Giffard, the bishop of Winchester, from 1107 to 1129. It was home to a Cistercian community for more than 400 years until the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry Vlll.

In its time, up to 70 monks and 120 lay brothers (workers) lived and worshipped at Waverley Abbey. The ruins that remain today were part of a group of buildings. They stood within a much larger area of around 60 acres enclosed by a stone boundary wall.

In 1536 Henry Vlll ordered the abbey to be suppressed, and the monks were sent away. The king then granted the site to his treasurer Sir William Fitzherbert, who later became the earl of Southampton. Fitzherbert built his country house here, incorporating parts of the monastic ruins.

Much like the ruins of Bayham Old Abbey in Kent , nature has reclaimed some of the stonework. In the former churchyard, a yew tree with giant roots said to be 700 years old has grown over parts of the ruins. On a sunny day, as the rays peek through the canopy, this is a lovely place to sit and look back at the abbey.

This magnificent yew tree is the winner of the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year Award 2022. The award highlights the importance of trees to our landscapes and our well-being.

Waverley Abbey in the 18th century

From the 16th century to the 18th century, the land and ruins were owned by several prominent families. In the 18th century, a new house was built in the nearby meadow, and Waverley Abbey ruins were incorporated into the landscape design.

Waverley Abbey House has had many uses over the years. It was used as a hospital in the First World War and is now owned by a charitable organisation and used as a magnificent function venue and education centre.

On my visit to Waverley Abbey, we were the only people at the ruins, apart from the herd of cows in the neighbouring field who were intent on watching our every move.

I found it a very calming and spiritual place and appreciated the tranquil surroundings of this religious sanctuary.

Useful Information About Waverley Abbey

How to find the ruins.

Address: Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8EP

The site is 2 miles South-East of Farnham, off B3001, off Junction 10 of M25. Access to the ruins is via a small turning with minimal signage, so keep your eyes peeled.

The ruins are open 24 hours daily and free to enter , with a small car park on-site.

From the car park, a pathway takes you alongside the river, past ducks and geese, and across open fields to a kissing gate – where you will see the ruins of Waverley Abbey.

Tip: Wear sturdy walking boots on wet days, as the area can become boggy due to flooding from the River Wey.

English Heritage member allows free access and parking to historical sites around the UK. You can join English Heritage here .

In the Area

If you love walking, the North Downs Way starts at the train station in Farnham and runs 153 miles to Dover in Kent.

Of course, you don’t need to tackle the whole route, but you may like to wander through some of Surrey’s most beautiful countryside after a visit to Waverley Abbey and follow in the footsteps of the ancient pilgrim route.

Please Pin for Future Travel to England

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