Malmesbury Abbey
Malmesbury Abbey
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
507 reviews
Excellent
283
Very good
192
Average
28
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Ian g
Neston, UK1,238 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
I was here many years ago and remember marvelling at how this Abby/church had survived its drastic shrinkage. It’s well worth your while to stop and search this little gem. Norman architecture inside and what appear to be cannonball pockmarks on the outside wall by the entrance. It’s about a two minute walk from the central car park and main shopping street.
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terence R
Macheke, Zimbabwe42 contributions
Sep 2020
The attractive Church that now exists is only part left of the medieval Abbey. There are some impressive manuscripts on display. I was impressed with their COVID-19 precautions, including a one-way system, DIY sanitising the seats in the prayer chapel and so on. The cafe sells drinks and delicious cakes, but you have to eat outside.
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarcusHurley
Calne, UK10,790 contributions
Jun 2022
We visited the abbey as part of a trip, mostly to see the Abbey Gardens (private, only open 6 days a year). The abbey obviously borders the gardens so was a great backdrop. The building is in a good state of repair which is nice to see, although most of the original abbey has been looted and demolished. The interior has some lovely stone work and some of the ceiling bosses are still painted.
Athelstan's tomb (a medieval construction I think, certainly not Saxon) is inside and there are information boards on him and Anselm as well as some 15th century illuminated bibles.
Staff inside were very friendly and this felt less dead than most churches I've visited, it felt like it was still a used and useful part of the community so good work to the Malmesbury team there. Lovely little cafe too with fantastic cheese scones!
Athelstan's tomb (a medieval construction I think, certainly not Saxon) is inside and there are information boards on him and Anselm as well as some 15th century illuminated bibles.
Staff inside were very friendly and this felt less dead than most churches I've visited, it felt like it was still a used and useful part of the community so good work to the Malmesbury team there. Lovely little cafe too with fantastic cheese scones!
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellie
72 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
I must start this review by saying that this is a stunning abbey which has been skilfully restored into a fully functioning church, and well worth a visit. However while we were looking around we were being constantly watched and followed by a lady, I think a member of the congregation which had just finished Sunday worship, who unfortunately obviously did not trust us walking around the abbey independently. This is not the welcoming environment you would hope from a great news place of worship and particularly upset my partner who is a Christian herself.
Written March 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jenlef0901
Reading, UK20 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Lovely afternoon visiting Malmesbury and the abbey. The abbey itself is fascinating to discover with lots to look at and information available. It is clearly looked after well by the friendly and welcoming volunteers and includes a sweet cafe to visit with delicious food being served. Well worth a visit.
Written June 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johngiles100
London, UK15 contributions
Jul 2021
Unusual survivor of the dissolution of the monasteries, the abbey was saved from total ruin and part of it preserved as a lovely parish church. enthusiastic volunteers will tell you all about it. Free to go in but a well-deserving contribution box should be visited.
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AwesomeladyUS
Atlanta, Georgia645 contributions
May 2022
This is the first capital of England and home to the first King, King Athelstan the Glorious who is buried here. Brother Elmer is said to be the first man to fly. It was home to the father of modern history and the father of English Philosophy--Thomas Hobb. Worship was shaped by the Celtic pilgrims and Benedictine monks. It has been part of the Church of England since the reformation. It was built in 1180.
Written May 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie D
Plymouth, UK120 contributions
May 2021
Having already been to St John's Church, Cirencester, this was a disppointment. There was very little information on show for visitors an we had to ask the steward for more information. We didn't know about the Civil War damage or the friezes in the entrance porch until after we had left the town and there was no information about the observation balcony in the Nave. It was very hard to picture the original abbey and so much more could have been done to welcome and inform visitors.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
journeymaid48
Fairport, NY1,122 contributions
May 2022
Malmesbury Abbey is a place that I could visit again and again. The church is a monument to England from the seventh century until today. Aethelstan was buried somewhere in the grounds. The library was the finest in medieval England. William of Malmesbury was the librarian and one of the most important of medieval chroniclers. The church was rebuilt as Romanesque by the Normans and later Gothic. The Malmesbury Bible was created there. The Abbey held the Shrine of St. Aldhelm until the dissolution of the monasteries. It is a wonderful place to see.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ivgold
Yardley, PA32 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We stopped in Malmesbury on our way from London to Thornbury Castle. What a beautiful area. We explored the Athelstan Museum and viewed the beautiful Abbey and grounds. The town is charming and we enjoyed our brief time there.
Written May 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the Abbey dog friendly
Written November 14, 2017
We didn't see a dog at Malmesbury Abbey, but assume you mean Malmesbury Abbey House & Gardens which is the adjoining property. I would think that any dog resident at a property open to the public would be friendly.
Written January 19, 2018
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