Coverham Abbey Ruins

Coverham Abbey Ruins are the remains of a Premonstratensian abbey, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. The structure is built of rubble faced with ashlar and features four sections of the abbey church that are not part of existing buildings.

The first section is the 13th-century west wall of the north transept, which has a roll top to the plinth on the outside and is pierced by two lancet windows with hollow and roll mouldings. The second section includes the 13th-century west wall of the north aisle and nave, featuring a small pointed-arched opening with a roll moulding on the chamfer. The third section consists of two 14th-century arches from the south nave arcade, supported by three filleted quatrefoil-plan piers, with arches that have two deep orders and a wave moulding on the chamfers. The fourth section includes the 14th-century south respond of the east nave arch and part of the west wall of the south transept.

The abbey was relocated from Swainby around 1202 and suffered damage from Scottish incursions in 1331-32. Coverham Abbey is scheduled as an Ancient Monument, and a guidebook is available for purchase at a nearby nursery.