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A Way of Life
Ampleforth is a living, breathing community of monks and lay people who embody the fifteen-hundred year-old Benedictine precept: that we should live prayerfully, compassionately and humbly in the service of God and our fellow men.
Seeking God in Community
We seek to establish and maintain a joyful, simple and balanced life in prayer, work and time for each other. We aim to serve the Church and the world in all our works, including our traditional commitment to education, pastoral ministry and hospitality, trying to recognise Christ in all whom we meet.
Our work at home
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We believe the wisdom of St Benedict can apply to a school community as well as a monastic one, while the connection between the two provides an education which includes, but goes beyond, academic excellence.
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The tradition of hospitality is as old as the monastic life itself and today we welcome several thousand people each year – believers, non-believers and members of other faiths, of all nationalities, ages and backgrounds. This tranquil place is not for our benefit alone.
Our work away
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We serve eleven parishes across four dioceses. We provide chaplaincy for prisons and schools and serve in hospices. Every year we also lead a group of pilgrims to Lourdes where we are on hand to provide spiritual support for all who take part in the pilgrimage.
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In 1996 we answered a call from the Bishops of Zimbabwe to found a monastery. Today, the Monastery of Christ the Word at Macheke offers an oasis in this troubled country where priests and Zimbabweans from every walk of life can find spiritual renewal.
It is not enough that our children learn, but that they want to learn
We aim to instil the desire in for a lifetime of learning. This is an attitude, a value, that we cultivate for life.
It is not so much about all-rounders as about all-round excellence
The point of having a huge number of arenas of activity available to each child is not that they become competent in all of them, but that they find the one or ones that they can become really good at. Then enthusiasm takes hold, the thrill of achievement is born and the shape of a life is changed.
Old Amplefordians
A connection that exists beyond the valley. An active global community of Old Amplefordians, united by a shared bond, founded in the College.
Friends
Many discover Ampleforth through its retreat programmes, hospitality and pastoral works. Welcome, each and every one of you, to the family.
Visit Our Sites
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Click here to learn more about the Ampleforth Society including events for Old Amplefordians, parents and friends. We look forward to seeing you soon.
- Old Amplefordians - -
Click here to learn more about efforts to secure the future of Ampleforth Abbey & College for generations to come.
- Our Journey -
Opening Our Doors
Our monastery, indeed our lives would be incomplete without guests. People come here for many reasons. Some wish to find peace, to be still, to seek relief from the pressures and stresses of contemporary life. Many come simply to take in our beautiful scenery and enjoy our Benedictine hospitality.
Abbey Church and Visitor Centre
The Abbey Church is always open to visitors and the monastic community welcome those who wish to join them in their services which take place six times a day. Our Visitor Centre provides a comprehensive insight into the history of Ampleforth, from the arrival of the community in 1802 and the establishment of the school, right through to the work of the monks today.
Abbey Shop and Tearoom
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The Abbey Shop offers a wonderful selection of items, from the spiritual and devotional, to giftware, greetings cards and souvenirs. Our own Ampleforth Produce is available to purchase too, including the award-winning Abbey Cider, Beer and Liqueurs.
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Take some time out to discover our Abbey Tea Room with its delicious light meals and freshly baked scones and cakes. Furnished with Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson tables and chairs, the Tea Room offers a wonderfully calm setting for morning coffee, relaxed lunches and afternoon tea.
St Alban’s Sports Centre
St Alban’s Sports Centre offers something unique in North Yorkshire; an excellent, city-standard gym and a 25m swimming pool in the most beautiful uplifting countryside. We offer a range of fitness classes and many of the sports facilities are also available to hire for your own private use.
Visit Ampleforth
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Learn more about what there is to see and do at Ampleforth.
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Discover a range of classes, view the swim and gym timetables and explore our facilities.
- St Alban's Sports Centre -
Gilling Castle
Dating back to the 14th century, Gilling Castle provides a stunning back drop for events and celebrations during the school holidays. The Castle is home to our prep school, St Martin's Ampleforth, therefore the boarding and classroom facilities make it a perfect venue for summer schools and private residential courses.
The Windmill
Furnished with Robert 'Mousey' Thompson panelling and furniture, Ampleforth's private pub is available for hire for special occasions including birthday parties, christenings and weddings. The views across the valley are spectacular, making this a truly stunning venue.
Ampleforth Orchard
Covering seven acres with more than 2,000 trees and 40 varieties of apples, our orchard is the largest commercial orchard in the North of England. Ribston Pippin is the oldest variety we grow and it originates from a tree grown locally, at Ribston Hall, in the seventeenth century.
Ampleforth Abbey Beer
Based on a centuries old Benedictine recipe, Ampleforth Abbey Beer is full bodied and Trappist in style. We are very proud of the beer, which is the only traditionally brewed Abbey Beer in England.
Out and About
Our beer and cider products can be found in many farm shops and delis in North Yorkshire and beyond. We are proud to support a number of local shows and festivals including the annual Great Yorkshire Show and the Harrogate Christmas Fair.
Monastery
Currently the monastery is in poor repair, dark, noisy and lacking in privacy. Living quarters are basic and often damp, with the majority of monks served by only three bathrooms. We need to refurbish the monastery to provide a simple, homely and welcoming place for our community to live in.
Bursary Fund
Expanding out Bursary Fund will help us ensure that no one is denied an Ampleforth education, whatever their background or means. We hope eventually to fund a significant proportion of our students through bursaries.