Roche Abbey
South east of the town of Maltby are the substantial ruins of Roche Abbey. The site of the Abbey is in a deep and narrow valley divided by a stream surrounded by woodland. It is a secluded and quiet place, away from most human habitation, yet only a few minutes walk from the main road between Maltby and Blyth (once a major town on the Great North Road). After the builders had finished quarrying, carting, levelling, erecting and embellishing, and the last hammer had been stowed away the abbey must have been very conducive to contemplation and prayer. Even today this is still a very peaceful situation and on a fortunate day you can find yourself the only visitor.
Roche Abbey is situated on both banks of the stream called Maltby Dyke. To the north the site is protected by steep limestone cliffs. To the south a tributary stream joined the main stream and was used to drain the buildings on the south east part of the site. It was dammed into lakes upon the higher ground.
The church, chapterhouse, cloister and the dorters and fraters of both the monks and the lay brothers are on the north side of the main stream with the monks' dorter and frater actually extending over the stream on bridges, The infirmary, abbot's lodgings and kitchens, and other buildings are on the south bank. It was built of local stone quarried in the neighbourhood. At least I always thought so, but an espondent has informed me that the stone quarried that for Roche Abbey was produced Kiveton Park way and carted over.
Information
Address:- Roche Abbey, off Blyth Road, Maltby, Rotherham. Tel. 44 (0)1709 812739. Website www.englishheritage.org.uk.Free parking (down the lane near the abbey), gift shop, toilets, dogs on leads welcome, picnics welcome.
For up-to-date prices & opening times visit the website.
More Information about Roche Abbey Woodlands:–
Recreation - Parks - SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) - Roche Abbey Woodlands and Maltby Crags.