Drax Priory

You won't stumble across much at Drax Priory these days - a few ruined stone walls, some earthworks, and the knowledge that this was once a proper Benedictine monastery. Founded in the twelfth century, it's now little more than overgrown foundations near Goole, but that's exactly what makes it compelling if you care about medieval Yorkshire.

What draws most visitors here is the chance to see how these monastic communities shaped the landscape. The ruins are sparse, which means you'll need some imagination - or a decent guidebook - to picture the cloister and dormitories. It's not Rievaulx or Whitby, the show-stopping abbeys you find elsewhere in the region. But that's the point. Drax is quiet, barely visited, and honest about its collapse during the Dissolution.

History buffs will find this worthwhile, particularly those researching monastic life or the Dissolution period. You won't need more than thirty minutes on site, and there's no charge for access. Walkers might enjoy the riverside location and the broader countryside around it, though it's not dramatic scenery.

If you're basing yourselves at Apple Blossom Caravan and Camping just down the road, it makes sense to include Drax as a morning diversion before heading towards the bigger attractions further west. Don't expect lavish interpretation or facilities - bring sturdy boots and accept that some ruins simply whisper rather than shout.