Step into Ampleforth Abbey’s historic orchard, home to 1,500 apple trees across 60+ varieties. Pick your own apples and watch traditional cider pressing in action for a memorable day outdoors.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
30 minutes to 2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves moderate walking on uneven terrain
Wildlife
History
Ampleforth Abbey’s orchard has been cultivated for over 200 years, preserving many rare and local apple varieties.
Conservation
The Abbey emphasizes sustainable orchard management, protecting heritage apple cultivars and supporting local biodiversity.
Ampleforth Abbey
Step into Ampleforth Abbey’s historic orchard, home to 1,500 apple trees across 60+ varieties. Pick your own apples and watch traditional cider pressing in action for a memorable day outdoors.
Ampleforth Abbey is a historic destination near York, England, offering a range of visitor experiences set around its church, grounds, and orchard. Visitors can book relaxed visits to the Tearoom Booking to enjoy homemade treats in a tranquil setting. The Afternoon Tea experience serves freshly made sandwiches, homemade cakes, and scones with cream and jam alongside Yorkshire Tea or filter coffee, set against Mouseman wooden panelling and views of the Ampleforth valley.
The Abbey Church Tour guides guests through the church’s architecture and history, including access to areas such as the Crypt and chapels. After a tour, visitors can use the Visitor Centre, shop at the Abbey Shop, and return to the Tea Room for home-cooked meals in a picturesque atmosphere.
Ampleforth’s historic orchard features approximately 1,500 apple trees and more than 60 varieties. The Pick Your Own Apples experience lets visitors collect fruit and observe traditional pressing of apple juice and cider at the Cider Mill. These outdoor activities highlight seasonal harvests and hands-on learning about orchard heritage.
For night-sky enthusiasts, the Astro Photography Workshop led by experienced astro-photographer Steve Bell offers a talk, refreshments, and practical low-light photography instruction during an outdoor session. Each experience is bookable and presented as a distinct activity for visitors to plan around opening times. Ampleforth Abbey combines food, heritage, landscape, and specialist workshops to create memorable day visits near York.
Booking information, opening hours, and ticket details are available through the Visitor Centre and the Abbey's published visitor information. Please check locally.
Experiences
5
Distinct bookable activities
Orchard Trees
1,500
Over 60 apple varieties
Workshops
Astro Photography
Led by Steve Bell
Tea Room
Afternoon Tea
Fresh sandwiches and homemade cakes
Reserve Afternoon Tea, book an Abbey Church Tour, pick apples in the orchard, or join the Astro Photography Workshop today.
Wear sturdy footwear
The orchard terrain is undulating and uneven, so solid shoes are recommended to navigate comfortably.
Bring weather-appropriate clothing
Outdoor conditions can change quickly, so dress in layers and bring rain gear if needed.
Children must be supervised
All children age 16 and under need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian for safety in the orchard.
Limited parking available
Parking spots near the orchard are few; consider parking at Ampleforth Abbey and walking to the orchard.
Sturdy walking shoes
Essential for navigating the orchard’s uneven and sloped ground safely.
Layered clothing
Helpful for adjusting to changing outdoor temperatures throughout the day.
Water bottle
Stay hydrated during warm weather, especially if spending several hours outdoors.
summer
Reusable bag or basket
Useful for carrying picked apples if you don’t want to purchase containers on-site.
fall