Welcome
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 (1.30 to 3.00pm on Sundays). Visiting may be restricted during service times or to certain parts of the Abbey for the time being.
Worship: There are two services of Holy Communion on Sunday and two more during the week. For more information, please see below under “Services of Public Worship” or for any additions to these, under “Sunday Sheet”.
The “Sunday Sheet” with a weekly reflection, bible readings and prayers is available to help people to pray and worship at home, especially those unable to join us in the Abbey as yet, and also includes notices about forthcoming events.
RESTRICTIONS FROM 19th JULY: Although legal restrictions surrounding social distancing, face coverings, etc. will be removed from 19th July, we will be following the general advice for the time being and continuing to recommend that people wear face coverings in the Abbey (especially when near other people), maintain safe distances, use hand sanitiser, and be considerate of those who may feel anxious or vulnerable otherwise. This will apply to public worship, the coffee shop and general visiting. We will review this regularly in the expectation that these practices will become less necessary in the near future.
Sunday Service
The 10.00am Sunday Service will be available to view online via the following YouTube link. https://youtu.be/V9-0eRzHIV0
An order of service has been provided to help you follow and join in with the service: Download “Selby Abbey Sunday Service”
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.
Book a Tour
Why not join one of our new guided tours, free of charge, with donations welcome. These will all be delivered with social distancing and we are limiting the numbers to 10 per tour to adhere to the current government guidance on tour guiding (which still allows for a maximum of 30). They will last a maximum of one hour and must be pre-booked so we can manage the numbers. Tickets can be booked online, we look forward to welcoming you soon.
Upcoming Events
Tea and Chat Reminiscence Drop In
Pop along to the Abbey any time between 10am and 4pm for a cuppa and a chat about Selby's past. We'll be gathering stories as part of Selby Stories a […]
Find out more »Selby DC Chairman’s Proms Concert
Chairman of Selby District Council, Councillor John Duggan invites you to his Proms Concert! Featuring The Yorkshire Volunteers Band and The Riccall Community Choir Tickets can be purchased here, from […]
Find out more »Selby Abbey Social Ten-Pin Bowling
Join the Selby Abbey Social and Action Group for ten-pin bowling at Superbowl in Selby. We will be meeting at the venue at 6pm. Everyone is welcome.
Find out more »
