The beautiful Yorkshire countryside, with its gently sloping hills, valleys and amazing scenic views, is home to some of England's greatest abbeys. As you walk The Abbey Trail you visit seven of these historic buildings at Kirkstall, Fountains, Byland, Rievaulx, Lastingham, Rosedale and Whitby. The Abbey Trail is 116 miles long and can be completed in just over a week as a long distance walk, but for walkers with limited time it is conveniently divided into eight one day sections. There are also five one day circular walks included in the guide that are ideally suited to car drivers.

Clive Newsome provides fascinating background information on the countryside and places of historic interest along the route. These include: Otley, the birthplace of Thomas Chippendale; Pateley Bridge, a market town with fine old buildings; Ripon, with its famed cathedral that includes the work of Kilburn's 'Mousey' Thompson; and the destination town of Whitby with its historic harbour and old town.

The eight sections are: Kirkstall Abbey to Otley; Otley to Pateley Bridge; Pateley Bridge to Ripon; Ripon to Thirsk; Thirsk to Helmsley; Helmsley to Rosedale Abbey; Rosedale Abbey to Grosmont; Grosmont to Whitby. The circular day walk locations are: The Washburn Valley and Dob Park; Pateley Bridge, Brimham Rocks and Nidderdale; Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Deer Park; Byland Abbey and Kilburn; Rodedale Abbey, Rosedale and old mine workings.