SPAB Yorkshire Group visit to Thornton Abbey and St Peter’s Church, Barton-upon-Humber

Friday 26 June, 10.30am - 3.30pm

The SPAB Yorkshire Regional Group are teaming up with the newly formed Lincolnshire Group and English Heritage on a guided visit to Thornton Abbey and St Peter’s Church, Barton-upon-Humber. 

The group will meet at Thornton Abbey and will be given hard hat tours of the site by representatives of English Heritage Trust and consulting architects Donald Insall Associates. Thornton Abbey is a Scheduled Monument in Guardianship, and planning is underway for major conservation and repair works to be implemented. The group will learn about the history and significance of the site, the conservation challenges in the face of climate change and the plans for sustainable conservation.

After touring Thornton Abbey the group will travel on to St. Peter’s Church, Barton-upon-Humber. The church is famous for its Anglo-Saxon history and architecture, and was the subject of major archaeological investigation and research in the 1970s and 1980s. Tours will be given by representatives from English Heritage Trust. The group will learn about the history of the site and the excavations, its medieval architecture and recent conservation projects.

You will need

Please bring your own packed lunch, or food and drink can be purchased in Barton-upon-Humber during the break. Refreshments will not be provided at either site. 

Visitors should wear sensible clothing to suit weather conditions on the day and appropriate sturdy footwear. There is very limited shelter from sun or rain at Thornton Abbey. Visitors are welcome to bring their own PPE, however hard hats will be provided for the tours. 

How to get there

Travel details will be provided in confirmation emails. 

Accessibility

The ground at Thornton Abbey is generally flat and stable, although the field between the gatehouse and abbey ruins can become muddy and cattle may be openly grazing there on the day. NB: There are no visitor facilities including toilets at Thornton Abbey.

St Peter’s church is generally accessible; there is a short step into the church from the south porch and a ramp into the chancel area. The church has a toilet for visitors that will be available.

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email membership@spab.org.uk.

Photos and filming:We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. Participants may take photos and short videos for personal use, with permission of the course leader and all other participants in frame. If you want to post on social media, please message SPAB's Comms Team (press@spab.org.uk or @spab1877) for permission. If your material is good, we might ask to share it with our followers.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: Alex Holton