Rievaulx Terrace

Rievaulx Terrace is a half-mile grass terrace laid out in the 1750s above the valley of Rievaulx Abbey. Families can stroll the wildflower-fringed lawns and pause at the two temples at either end: the domed Tuscan Temple, with a medieval tile pavement, and the Ionic Temple, a banqueting house with painted ceilings and Georgian furniture. An exhibition in the temple basement explains how the terrace was made. Woodland paths and the views down to the abbey ruins give younger visitors plenty to spot and explore, and a picnic on the lawns suits a relaxed afternoon. It works well as a half-day outing and pairs easily with a visit to the abbey below. Paths are grass and loose gravel with some steps, so pushchairs and wheeled buggies may find parts of the grounds uneven.