Welcome to Selby Abbey
Inspiring architecture; sacred space and a vibrant worshipping community make Selby Abbey the place it is today. Men, women and children have worshipped here and served the wider community for over 900 years. Selby is a small Yorkshire town, 12 miles South of York with one of the most superb Abbey churches to be found anywhere in England. The Abbey is not just a building it is a living and vibrant part of the local community yet provides space that allow the visitor and the worshipper alike to find peace, tranquillity and the very presence of God.
Throughout its long and turbulent history, the Abbey has undergone many changes and therefore never stands still. We look forward to welcoming you to this wonderful building and hope you will enjoy it for its history, its architecture and its space but above all for an encounter with God.
Visiting: We are open for all visitors (including sightseeing) from 10.00am to 4.00pm daily and the Gift and Coffee Shop is open from 10.30am to 3.30pm (1.30pm to 3.00pm on Sundays). Visiting may be restricted during service times.
Worship: There are two services of Holy Communion on Sunday and two more during the week and a service of Evensong every Sunday as well as other opportunities for worship at the Abbey from time to time. For more information, please see below under “Services of Public Worship” or for any additions to these, under “Sunday Sheet”.
The 10.00am Sunday Service is usually available to view online. Contact the Abbey Office for the Youtube link.
The “Sunday Sheet” contains a weekly reflection, bible readings and prayers as well as notices about forthcoming events.
We currently have two vacancies for our Selby Abbey: The Origins Stories project – scroll to the bottom of the page for more.
Organ Recital Series 2025
Free lunchtime organ recitals every Tuesday at 12.30pm from 22 July to 26 August, featuring acclaimed cathedral organists.
View full recital programme
Upcoming events in the Abbey
Click the links below to book a ticket for one of our exciting events coming up:
Choral Evensong
A week of Special Evensong services by our visiting choir 5.30 pm Choral Evensong Adamas Voces Responses Rose Psalm 40 Blair in B minor Bring us, O Lord Harris Hymn: […]
Choral Evensong
A week of Special Evensong services by our visiting choir 5.30 pm Choral Evensong Adamas Voces Introit: Ave Maria Parsons Responses Rose Psalm 132 Dyson in D Hymn to the […]
Guided Tour of Selby Abbey
GUIDED TOURS OF SELBY ABBEY August to September 2025 No booking required – just turn up! (Tours, which last about 75 minutes, are free but donations are invited) Meet your […]
Donations Welcome
With your donation, we will continue to provide a welcoming, inspiring visitor experience to Selby Abbey. Maintaining free entry to the building, we will be able to develop on our 950 years of spiritual, cultural and economic support to the local community and for those further afield. We receive no direct financial support from the state or central church to preserve our historic building, and are therefore grateful for any donation you may be able to give to keep this magnificent Abbey at the heart of Selby both now and for future generations.
Guided Tours of Selby Abbey
Join one of our guided tours, free of charge, with donations welcome. They will last about 75 minutes and no booking is necessary, simply meet at the West Doors and one of our guides will show you the hidden gems of the Abbey. Dates and times can be found on the link below. Alternatively, you can contact us to book a bespoke tour at a time to suit you. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
Don’t miss one out on attending one of our Tours with our knowledgeable Guides, see the next dates below:
GUIDED TOURS OF SELBY ABBEY August to September 2025 No booking required – just turn up! (Tours, which last about 75 minutes, are free but donations are invited) Meet your […] DON’T MISS THE LAST TOWER TOURS OF THE YEAR! Selby Abbey offers tours for a wide range of groups with a wide range of needs and desires. From organised group […]Guided Tour of Selby Abbey
Selby Abbey Tower Tour
What’s New on Our Website
Shop At Selby Abbey Gift Shop
CURRENT VACANCIES: SELBY ABBEY: THE ORIGIN STORIES
Join the team at Selby Abbey and become part of a landmark heritage project to secure the future of this Grade I listed church.
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Type: Fixed term (2 years), 15 hours per week / 0.4 FTE
Salary: £10,800 p.a. (£27,000 pro rata)
Reports to: Operations Manager
Location: Selby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Closing Date: 17:00 Sunday 7th September 2025
Interviews: Week commencing 15th September 2025
The opportunity
Key to the successful delivery of the Origin Stories project will be the expansion of the Abbey’s volunteer team to support future operations and sustainability. The Abbey has a long tradition of volunteering, with a strong and dedicated team of around 100 volunteers undertaking a wide range of activities. This is an opportunity for the successful applicant to attract and recruit new volunteers, to work with an established team to develop its skills, and to introduce new working processes for effective volunteer management.
Purpose of role
To support and improve the management and training of volunteers and support the Operations team. The postholder will work to grow volunteer numbers, improve working processes, and support volunteers to develop confidence and skills. The postholder will work closely with the Operations Manager, the Origin Stories Project Manager, and a voluntary Volunteer Co-ordinator lead (to be appointed) who will work closely with the Operations Manager to build and shape the role post-project.
For the full role description and application form, please download by clicking below:
Community Engagement Co-ordinator
Type: Fixed term (2 years), 22.5 hours per week / 0.6 FTE
Salary: £16,200 p.a. (£27,000 pro rata)
Reports to: Operations Manager
Location: Selby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Closing Date: 17:00 Sunday 7th September 2025
Interviews: Week commencing 15th September 2025
The opportunity
Key to the successful delivery of the Origin Stories project will be the integration of community stakeholders from a range of backgrounds into new activity at the Abbey. The project activity plan outlines multiple opportunities for collaboration and creativity to attract volunteers and new audiences, as well as engaging the Abbey’s existing volunteer team, local schools and other learning groups, youth groups and more.
Purpose of role
To lead on delivering, co-ordinating and reporting on the Origin Stories project community engagement activity. As part of this work, the Community Engagement Co-ordinator will build partnerships with community organisations to support ongoing joint working. They will also build relationships with schools and introduce a new education visit model. The postholder will work closely with the Operations Manager, the Origin Stories Project Manager, and a voluntary Community Engagement lead (to be appointed) who will be in a position to support ongoing community engagement work post-project.
For the full role description and application form, please download by clicking below:
Community Engagement Co-ordinator role description
Application Form – Community Engagement Co-ordinator, Selby Abbey