Jedburgh Abbey

About the museum

Jedburgh had been a religious site for around three centuries before Augustinian canons arrived in 1138. King David I founded a priory there that year, and it was raised to the status of an abbey in 1154. It is one of four great abbeys founded in the Scottish Borders in the 12th century, and it was built over more than seventy years. The east end was begun in the Romanesque style, the Gothic nave followed from about 1180, and the church was largely complete by around 1200.

The abbey's position close to the border drew it into the wars between Scotland and England. The canons had to leave during the Wars of Independence in the 14th century, Edward I took lead from the roof in 1305, and further attacks in the 15th century and raids in the 16th century caused more damage. A great rose window in the west gable, added around 1440, is the best-known later feature. The Protestant Reformation of 1560 ended the monastic community.

Today the site is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. Visitors can walk through the church and see the remains of the buildings where the monks ate and slept, along with the kitchen and cellar ranges and a recreated cloister garden of medieval herbs. The visitor centre exhibition displays carved stone fragments from the 8th to 11th centuries, including part of the Jedburgh Shrine, a richly carved sarcophagus, together with finds such as gaming tokens that show everyday life at the abbey.

Highlights

• Romanesque and early Gothic abbey church begun in the 12th century
• Rose window in the west gable, from about 1440
• Jedburgh Shrine and other early Christian carved stones in the visitor centre
• Recreated cloister garden with medieval herbs
• Audio guide on your own device, included in the ticket

Permanent exhibition

• Visitor centre exhibition – Carved stone fragments from the 8th to 11th centuries, including part of the Jedburgh Shrine, and everyday finds such as gaming tokens.

Founded

1914

Operated by

Historic Environment Scotland

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are the cheaper online prices; at the door adults pay £8.50, concessions £6.80 and children £3.75. Historic Environment Scotland members enter free. Explorer Pass holders have free entry for 14 consecutive days but must book a visit. Members of English Heritage, Cadw and Manx National Heritage get free or discounted entry.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The shop on the ground floor of the visitor centre has level access. The exhibition and toilets are on the first floor, reached by a spiral staircase; step-free access is by ramp, which staff will open on request. Adapted toilets are in the visitor centre and at the car park, 100 metres away. Routes around the abbey include steps, gravel paths and uneven doorways, and some areas have steps without handrails. Assistance dogs are allowed throughout, including roofed areas, and other dogs are welcome outdoors. Large print and Open Dyslexic large print guides are available on request or to download. Visitors can be dropped off at the front door.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Child tickets are sold for ages 7 to 15 and family tickets are available. Baby changing is listed among the facilities.

Getting there & parking

Visitors can be dropped off at the front door at Abbey Bridgend.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Facilities include a shop, toilets with baby changing, a picnic area, a bicycle rack and water bottle refill. Benches are placed in the cloister and picnic tables in the orchard and west range.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit