3.1K views · 219 reactions | The original Abbey Road? Kirkstall is one of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in England. The abbey church still stands to roof level, which is remarkable. Often locals after the Reformation used the monastic buildings for storing grain and housing livestock, transforming the monasteries into farm buildings. That was partially the case here at Kirkstall but most remarkable is the conversation of the nave into a road. The main road was diverted through the nave of the abbey church following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 to stop the monks from returning. Hence, until the 19th century, the road from Leeds to Skipton ran right through the nave! | Great British Architecture
The original Abbey Road?
Kirkstall is one of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in England. The abbey church still stands to roof level, which is remarkable.
Often locals after the Reformation used the monastic buildings for storing grain and housing livestock, transforming the monasteries into farm buildings. That was partially the case here at Kirkstall but most remarkable is the conversation of the nave into a road.
The main road was diverted through the nave of the abbey church following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 to stop the monks from returning. Hence, until the 19th century, the road from Leeds to Skipton ran right through the nave!