Address: Abbey Bridge End, Jedburgh, TD8 6JQ, United Kingdom
Phone: +441835863925
Rating: 4.5
based on 141 reviews.
Visitor Experience
Pros:
"A beautiful and impressive abbey in Jedburgh."
"The ruins are well kept, the sight imposing and the surrounding bit of town is also worth a walk."
"Magnificent ruins, the downloadable guide and mini-museum are good."
"The staff was super helpful and helped us a lot in deciding which membership to buy for all the Scottish sights."
"Helpful staff and one way system in place. Toilets on site which were of a good standard."
"Fantastic visit Matt from national Scotland tourist guide was very welcoming and friendly with a wealth of knowledge which helped give the abbey a true feel of what it would have been like all those years ago."
"Very instructive information boards around the site plus a free audio guide clearly explain the development and importance of the complex."
Cons:
"Another abbey that is closed for masonry work. They let you in for half price but it's not even worth that as you can only see one side of the building."
"I booked in advance to 'save time' on the day. Well, the guy serving was more interested in organising his receipts than customer service!"
"The only issue is that the inside is closed, which I know is not there fault but I would have liked to see photos linked to the audio guide outside."
"I could only give 3* because at the time of our visit (2023) the abbey, like others in the borders, was inaccessible due to repair work."
"Such a shame that inside the actual abbey is closed because of structural damage."
"Interesting place and good info via a QR scan system but the main part of the Abbey was closed due to possibility of falling masonry which was disappointing."
"The one disappointing thing was, that we were not told at the checkout that some parts of the Abbey are not accessible."
Accessibility & Facilities
Pros:
"The Abbey floor is level, if a bit rough in places and there are several short but uneven stairs to negotiate. Wheelchair users should have no problem with these with a bit of care."
"From what I can see, most of the Abbey is wheelchair accessible."
"Wheelchair access available on request."
"The site also includes toilets, and a gift shop."
"Car parking was on the neighbouring street and we found a space easily even though it was weekend."
"Parked in the free car park just down from the abbey with the beautiful river in-between."
"The intact stairs and walkway give a jaw dropping view over the main aisle of the abbey, it's easy to spend a few hours here exploring every nook, well worth a visit."
Cons:
"Only loses a star because conservation work had closed the main part of the Abbey - entry fee was reduced accordingly."
"Spectacular Abbey, located en route from Scotland to England (and vice versa). Unfortunately due to th Covid19 when we visited it was closed."
"The Abbey is closed off at the moment because of some falling masonry."
"Need to get that safety netting on the buildings like they do here in England so then people can view the whole place but for quick look around not a bad place."
"Sadly the access to the Abbey itself is closed, due to the inability to care for the building over the Covid pandemic."
"It's under construction so you can't walk in ... You can take only outside pictures."
"The Abbey is closed due to 'falling masonry' (as has Kelso Abbey for a number of years now)."
Value & Pricing
Pros:
"Admission only £4.80 for over 60s! Highly recommended."
"Very reasonable entrance price too for such a fantastic gem."
"Great place to visit, not too expensive an admission fee, well appointed with audio as well as visual information boards giving a fantastic overview of the origins and use of the various parts of the Abbey."
"Very fairly priced for what it is too."
"Ticket cost roughly 4£ if you want to include donations, you’ll get mobile electronic guide with great voice commentaries."
"1/2 price entry was good value."
"A stunning and well maintained site with a lovely car park and coffee stop very close by."
Cons:
"half price entry at the moment as the inside of the abbey isn’t accessible which is a shame, but it’s beautiful to look at from the outside."
"Such a shame most of the main parts of the site are not accessible, hence only 4 stars."
"Looks really nice but kind of felt this should be a free experience."
"Didn't actually head in as the prices were not clear. Would have preferred to know what the prices were before heading up to the counter."
"It's a shame that scotlands abbeys all seem to have issues with falling masonry yet in Wales this is not a major issue."
"Sadly the church and grave yard are still not available to visit as ongoing works required!"
"The abbey can be closed on some holidays so may be worth checking before you go."
Historical Significance & Preservation
Pros:
"A fantastic example of an ancient historic Abby featuring amazing masonry and architectural design. Unfortunately, the site is currently under structural analysis."
"If you like evocative, partial ruins (particularly ecclesiastical ones), this has to be up near the top of the list for the British Isles."
"Amazingly complete ruin of the Abbey in Jedburgh, a victim of Henry VIll's dissolution of the monasteries - the greatest act of cultural vandalism in British history!"
"Awe-inspiring to stand in this abbey and consider the labour, the love, the commitment, the skill of the people who built this edifice."
"The abbey's intricate stone carvings and delicate rose windows are particularly noteworthy."
"It is one of the most remarkable medieval abbeys in the country."
"The abbey holds significant historical importance, having been involved in several conflicts between Scotland and England over the centuries."
Cons:
"Compared to other Border Abbeys, it isn't quite as memorable."
"It's mainly ruins and foundations - but what's visible is still fascinating and well presented."
"It suffered damage during wars and was partially destroyed during the Reformation in the 16th century."
"Jedburgh is a 12th century church, although it supposedly has some 9th century Celtic stonework."
"The architecture is phenomenal, the history as well."
"an iconic well maintained ruined abbey, a well known landmark and tourist attraction."
"A magnificent site, architecturally very impressive because of the way Abbey buildings were constructed effectively in terraces, up the steep natural slope."