England 2023- Roche Abbey
One of the things about being in a country with tangible ancient history is that you’re never far from that history. Our airbnb was 6 miles east of the ruins of the haunting Roche Abbey. Built in the 12th century by Cistercian monks who heralded from Northumberland, the abbey is tucked just off of the main road. You get a tantalizing glimpse of it as you round a corner with a low stone wall, a tease of what you’ll find if you leave that main road in search of the medieval pathway. It took 25 years to complete the stone church and surrounding buildings but only one stroke of the pen from King Henry VIII almost 400 years later to damn it to the ruin we see today. When Daniel and I visit ruined abbeys and great houses I always try to imagine what they looked like in their prime without their toppled towers and empty windows. Reconstruction of Roche Abbey at its heyday in 1220. Illustration by Peter Urmston This particular day started with no destination in mind. My husband is ...
