Visitors Centre

Quarr Abbey Steps - Cream

Let us tell you the story of this holy place.

An abbey is an unusual and perhaps rather puzzling place for you to visit. Quarr Abbey Visitors Centre has been designed with this in mind. It will show you what the abbey is, what the monks who live here do, and some things for you to see and enjoy on the abbey estate.

Before the modern brick abbey was built there was a mediaeval abbey, now alas! in ruins. A visual display will tell you the turbulent story of our site. Other displays will show you the monks and explain the meaning of their life, while the “Cloister Clock” enables you to follow the monk hour by hour through his day.

The stained-glass window game allows children, both young and old, to try their hands at creating designs like those of the architect of the monastery. Finally, a short film shows you Quarr, fully alive, and records the daily routines of the monastic community. The motto of the Benedictine Order is “Peace” and we hope you experience the peace of Christ which makes our abbey a holy place.

Easter Message 2026

Easter at Quarr is a good season to learn again that
Flowers open after winter months of apparent death,
Birds sing joyfully as they build new nests for their little ones to come,
Lambs gamble and bleat in the meadows.
Even roads reopen (!) giving access to visitors old and new – all welcome!

Will our hearts open, too,
To make peace after conflicts and wars
To forgive after disputes
To foster every human life from its conception to its natural end,
To bring a smile of hope on all faces around?

“Christ is risen from the dead.”
Happy Easter to you all!

Abbot Xavier and the Community