Rushen Abbey

Om museet

Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla was founded in 1134, when the Norse king Olaf I gave land to monks from Furness Abbey in northern England. The community later joined the Cistercian order and grew into the island’s leading religious centre, with a large church and a reputation for learning. The Chronicles of Mann, the earliest written account of the island’s history, are linked with the abbey. It was closed in the 16th century when the monasteries were dissolved, and the monks’ packhorse bridge nearby, built around 1350, still crosses the Silverburn River.

In the early 1900s the ruins and their gardens became a popular tourist spot, famous for strawberries and cream, and the site later served other uses, including a nightclub in the 1980s. After the Second World War it fell into disrepair.

Manx National Heritage bought the abbey in 1998 and carried out excavations and restoration. Today a visitor centre tells the story from 1134 to the present day with sound, film, life-sized figures and hands-on activities such as dressing up as a monk. Outside are the abbey ruins, seasonal gardens planted to reflect the monks’ medicinal needs, a sensory garden and a pond.

Højdepunkter

• Visitor centre with a timeline from 1134 to today
• Abbey ruins and archaeological finds
• Herb and medicinal gardens with a sensory garden and musical benches
• Dressing up as a monk and other hands-on activities
• Walk to the 14th-century Monks’ Bridge at Silverdale Glen

Permanente udstillinger

• Rushen Abbey visitor centre – A visitor centre that tells the story of the abbey from its foundation in 1134 to the present day, using a timeline, sound, film, life-sized figures and archaeological finds, with hands-on activities for families.
• Abbey gardens – Seasonal gardens planted with herbs and flowers inspired by the monks’ medicinal needs, with a sensory garden, a pond and quiet places to sit.

Ejer

Manx National Heritage

Entrépriser & rabatter

A voluntary £1.50 donation is added to tickets and can be declined at the ticket desk. Free entry for Friends of Manx National Heritage members and for organisations with an agreement with the trust. Multi-site Holiday Passes and Annual Passes are available. Some special events cost extra.

Tilgængelighed

• Kørestolsvenlig
• Elevator: findes ikke
• Handicaptoilet
• Handicapparkering
• Servicehunde tilladt
• Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
• Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

The visitor centre is on one level and the entrance is level, but the floors vary and there are moderate ramps and uneven surfaces. The abbey ruins and gardens are reached by gravel and earth paths and wooden decking; wheelchair users may need help and the paths can be muddy and slippery when wet. A wheelchair can be borrowed (ask or book ahead) and mobility scooters are allowed. There is an accessible unisex toilet in the visitor centre, four marked disabled parking bays about 50 metres from the entrance, a hearing loop at reception, written interpretation in most galleries and seating in the galleries and gardens. The films have no subtitles but transcripts are available. Torches and ear defenders can be borrowed, the lighting is low and sensory-friendly familiarisation tours can be arranged. Assistance dogs are welcome and there is a water bowl at reception. The unfenced pond in the grounds needs care.

Børn og familie

Velegnet til børn og familier

• Familieomvisninger & workshops
• Opgavehæfte, skattejagt eller audioguide for børn
• Interaktive stationer
• Puslerum

Families are encouraged to follow the “Monky Business” activities, which include throwing a pot on a potter’s wheel, making abbey sounds and a fruit-picking challenge in the jam factory; play bags and, for babies and toddlers, play mats and toys can be collected from reception. The visitor centre is dimly lit, with sound and life-sized figures that some small children find frightening, and torches can be borrowed. Baby changing is in the male and female toilets, and buggies can be left in the cloakroom. There is a large unfenced pond in the grounds, so young children need close watching. Picnics are welcome in the gardens.

Transport & parkering

The abbey is a 10-minute walk from Ballasalla village, mostly level. One approach is over the Mill Road ford footbridge, which has five large steps up and down. Coaches can set down at the entrance and park next to the Abbey Restaurant.

Service & spisesteder

• Café
• Museumsbutik
• Garderobe

Hot drinks and snacks are available and there is a gift shop. The Abbey Restaurant, a separate business next to the abbey, serves meals; booking ahead is advisable. A cloakroom is available and buggies can be left there; items are left at the owner’s risk. Wi-Fi is not mentioned.

Arrangementer & udlejning

• Lokaler til leje
• Bryllupper / vielser

Venue hire and weddings are offered through Manx National Heritage.

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