SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Supposedly the most complete ruin of a cistercian monastery, least it said on the sign.40 odd years ago I visited in and 40 odd hours ago I visited it.I've always found it disappointing as the cloisters are OK and into the knave (churchey bit) but then that's it! It's a 5 minute walk in a ruin.All the peripheral areas used to be fenced off as dangerous.ANYWAY the point is isn't it time tan old Monastery or castle was rebuilt into something like what it was for a real heritage site with lots to see.Before anyone thinks thats sacriledge part of the abbey HAS been re-built and re-roofed.Before anyone says cost cost cost, this venue holds events, this venue has thousands of well wishers and nobody says re-build it in a year or completely rebuild it.As per the modest re-build already done ever little bit can improve the venue, every little bit can up the take.

There are already 8+ threads centred on the Abbey - I'd like to move this conversation into one of them but I'm not sure which if any is appropriate.Anyone care to take a look and give suggestions?

chameleon wrote: There are already 8+ threads centred on the Abbey - I'd like to move this conversation into one of them but I'm not sure which if any is appropriate.Anyone care to take a look and give suggestions? Hi chameleon,Having looked at the other threads, I don't think any of them are particularly appropriate.Personally I would transfer the thread as it is to General Chat, as Parksider is expressing an opinion and seeking others, rather than adding to factual information about the abbey itself.It certainly doesn't belong in the Public Houses section anyway! Edited to add: I should add my opinion while writing. I love walking around Kirkstall Abbey and wouldn't wish it to be developed in any way as I think it's so atmospheric as it is. When I look round it in depth, it takes me almost two hours, including the grounds.I've been round many similar abbeys around the UK and we are very fortunate that we can get into this one free of charge. Most of them are owned by English Heritage and charge a substantial entrance fee, and are still a large cluster of ruins!    

[Q]It certainly doesn't belong in the Public Houses section anyway[Q]Sounds like he needed a snifter after that.

Tasa wrote: I ... wouldn't wish it to be developed in any way as I think it's so atmospheric as it is. +1

I agree with Tasa. By rebuilding it, or giving a it a vast makeover it will lose most of its mystery. They could maybe benefit from opening extra parts of it though. Perhaps lay a short grit footpath so one can walk around the south block...I am extremely fortunate to have grown up just over the road from this fantastic Cistercian monastery.

jim wrote: Tasa wrote: I ... wouldn't wish it to be developed in any way as I think it's so atmospheric as it is. +1 -1TasaOver the years I've enjoyed Fountains Abbey (less so Bolton) Kirkstall and Rievaulx up by Helmsley. Always thought England ought to rebuild what must've been amazing places.Times are hard, but with a bit of TV documentary funding (I'd watch it), some University History Project, 1/10th of 1% of Foreign Aid budget, Lottery, etc etc a rebuilt of Kirkstall Abbey would be a UK first.Create some jobs and keep alive stone masonry skills + others - a la York Minster.We'd be ahead of the 'British ruined Abbeys' queue.And a few years back I thougt this was happening. Got quite excited, instead it was just a little part of it I understand.

As Kirkstall Abbey is quite properly a Grade One Listed Building and Scheduled Ancient Monument, I very much doubt that a major rebuild programme would be allowed. The roofing and reconstruction work that has been carried out will have been to protect areas at risk, and only after much discussion on balancing protection versus authenticity.    

I dont know how i stand rebuild or not. I once walked around a castle in France i did not know untill i was leaving that it was rebuilt from a pile of rubble. Looking at the old prints it was in a lot worse state than Kirkstall Abbey so this is why i have mixed feelings about this subject.Has jim says i dont think this will ever happen.        

Tasa wrote: 1. I've been round many similar abbeys around the UK 2. We are very fortunate that we can get into this one free of charge. 3. Most of them are owned by English Heritage and charge a substantial entrance fee, and are still a large cluster of ruins!     1. Indeed. They are all depressing ruins!Remember Henry V111 destroyed these places and the locals continued to pillage the stone etc.I don't find that "atmospheric" I find it negative and shameful.2. That's a bit of self interest creeping in there Tasa! Re-build it and you'd find it'd become a much bigger attraction than it is and the City would benefit.3. INDEED once rebuilding back to it's former glory starts so will a queue of people wishing to see a monastery in full, with not just a cluster of ruins, and they'd be happy to pay.As each bit is rebuilt you could put in whatever was in there like what did the kitchen look like, what equipment did they use what was a Monks toilet like?All this country has is several dozen ultra ruins which if you have seen one you have seen them all.