Sawley

Settlement in Yorkshire Ribble Valley

England

Sawley

St. Leonard's Church, Downham Looking at the east side of the church from the front of the Assheton Arms.
St. Leonard's Church, Downham Credit: Greum

Sawley is a small village located in the county of Yorkshire, England. Situated on the banks of the River Ribble, it is nestled within the picturesque Ribble Valley. The village is part of the civil parish of Sawley, Grindleton, and Chatburn, and falls under the local government district of Ribble Valley.

With a population of around 200 residents, Sawley is known for its quaint and tranquil atmosphere. The village is surrounded by idyllic countryside, offering stunning views and numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, and cycling. The nearby Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, further enhances the area's appeal for nature enthusiasts.

Sawley is historically significant, with its roots dating back to the medieval era. The village is home to the ruins of Sawley Abbey, a Cistercian monastery founded in 1147. These ruins are a popular attraction for visitors interested in exploring the area's rich history.

Despite its small size, Sawley boasts a vibrant community spirit. The village is home to a local pub, The Spread Eagle Inn, which serves as a hub for socializing and gathering. Additionally, Sawley has a village hall that hosts various events and activities throughout the year, fostering a sense of togetherness among its residents.

Overall, Sawley offers a peaceful and picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life, making it an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.

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Sawley Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.91088/-2.3419267 or Grid Reference SD7746. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St. Leonard's Church, Downham Looking at the east side of the church from the front of the Assheton Arms.
St. Leonard's Church, Downham
Looking at the east side of the church from the front of the Assheton Arms.
Tornado bound for Carlisle on the Clitheroe to Hellifield Line
Tornado bound for Carlisle on the Clitheroe to Hellifield Line
Sawley village and abbey [1] An information board about the abbey.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Sawley village and abbey [1]
An information board about the abbey. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: LinkExternal link The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: LinkExternal link
Sawley village and abbey [2] The ruins of the abbey church.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Sawley village and abbey [2]
The ruins of the abbey church. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: LinkExternal link The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: LinkExternal link
Sawley village and abbey [3] An information board about the abbey.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Sawley village and abbey [3]
An information board about the abbey. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: LinkExternal link The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: LinkExternal link
Sawley village and abbey [4] The ruins of some of the monk's accommodation.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Sawley village and abbey [4]
The ruins of some of the monk's accommodation. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: LinkExternal link The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: LinkExternal link
Sawley village and abbey [5] The remains of part of the floor of the abbey church.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Sawley village and abbey [5]
The remains of part of the floor of the abbey church. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: LinkExternal link The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: LinkExternal link
Sawley village and abbey [6] The remains of the abbey church.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Sawley village and abbey [6]
The remains of the abbey church. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: LinkExternal link The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: LinkExternal link
Sawley village and abbey [7] Fragments of carved stone in storage.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072099">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015492">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Sawley village and abbey [7]
Fragments of carved stone in storage. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. The abbey remains are listed, grade I, with details at: LinkExternal link The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with much detail at: LinkExternal link
Sawley village and abbey [8] This delightful former school, which closed in 1976, is now the village hall.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage.
Sawley village and abbey [8]
This delightful former school, which closed in 1976, is now the village hall. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage.
War memorial  Adjacent to the village hall, Sawley war memorial is a sandstone cross, unveiled in 1921.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage.
War memorial
Adjacent to the village hall, Sawley war memorial is a sandstone cross, unveiled in 1921. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage.
Sawley village and abbey [9] A row of houses in rubble stone under a stone slate roof.
Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage.
Sawley village and abbey [9]
A row of houses in rubble stone under a stone slate roof. Sawley is a small village on the banks of the River Ribble, some 3½ miles northeast of Clitheroe. The village is dominated by the ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1148. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and mostly demolished, the stone taken and reused in neighbouring farms and cottages. The ruins are now in the care of English Heritage.
Rail Bridge over the A59
Rail Bridge over the A59
Cafe by the A59
Cafe by the A59
Fields near Smithies Bridge
Fields near Smithies Bridge
Sawley Abbey Remains of the south transept of the abbey church
Sawley Abbey
Remains of the south transept of the abbey church
Sawley Abbey Remains of the north transept and crossing of the abbey church
Sawley Abbey
Remains of the north transept and crossing of the abbey church
Grindleton village centre At the junction of Main Street and Greendale View.
Grindleton village centre
At the junction of Main Street and Greendale View.
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Sawley is located at Grid Ref: SD7746 (Lat: 53.91088, Lng: -2.3419267)

Division: West Riding

Administrative County: Lancashire

District: Ribble Valley

Police Authority: Lancashire

What 3 Words

///sheet.funnels.putts. Near Chatburn, Lancashire

Nearby Locations

Bank Wood Sawley

Related Wikis

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.91088,-2.3419267
Sawley
Place: village
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 53.9142859/-2.3413647
Restaurant
The Spread Eagle
Wikidata: Q26327527
Lat/Long: 53.9148534/-2.3418218
Post Box
Post Box Type: lamp
Royal Cypher: EIIR
Royal Cypher Wikidata: Q33102113
Lat/Long: 53.9118607/-2.3424472
Sawley Abbey
Historic: ruins
Wikidata: Q2228344
Wikipedia: en:Sawley Abbey
Lat/Long: 53.9135401/-2.3416333
Bank top Farm
Place: neighbourhood
Source: OS OpenData StreetView
Lat/Long: 53.9112905/-2.3493593
Historic: memorial
Lat/Long: 53.9126873/-2.3423382
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: outside Sawley Village Hall - facing car park
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: no
Lat/Long: 53.9127922/-2.3421366
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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