Kirkstall in Leeds in West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Cloister

Kirkstall Abbey

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 19, 2025

1. The Cloister Marker

Inscription. This open square was the place where the Cistercian monks spent most of their time when they were not attending services in the church.

The monks could reach all of the important buildings of the Abbey from here. There was a covered walkway with a lean-to roof on each side of this square and the holes for the rafters supporting the roof are still clearly visible. The columns and arches of the cloister arcade that once helped support the roof were removed long ago. There was also a wall to separate the Cistercian monks from the laybrothers. You can see the join on the north and south sides of the cloister. The wall was taken down when the numbers of laybrothers decreased. in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 53° 49.245′ N, 1° 36.427′ W. Marker is in Leeds, England, in West Yorkshire. It is in Kirkstall. It can be reached from Abbey Road. On the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Abbey Road, Leeds, England LS5 3EH, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in England’s Yorkshire & The Humber.

Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Kitchen (a few steps from this marker); Changes in Abbey Life (a few steps from this marker); Other Rooms Leading from The Cloister

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(a few steps from this marker); The Refectory (within shouting distance of this marker); The Warming House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chapter House (within shouting distance of this marker); Kirkstall Abbey (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leeds.

Kirkstall Abbey Cloister image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 19, 2025

2. Kirkstall Abbey Cloister

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.