Arbroath Abbey
Arbroath Abbey
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Visitors can currently access the Visitor Centre and grounds. Due to access restrictions in place as a precautionary measure while we undertake high level masonry inspections, there is currently no visitor access to the abbey. Arbroath Abbey is a testament to the dynamic piety of Scotland’s medieval monarchs. It was founded in 1178 by King William I ‘the Lion’ as a memorial to his childhood friend Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered in 1170.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
78 within 5 kms
Attractions
31 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Glen&Isobel259 contributionsImposing structureThere is currently work going on so you cannot access all areas or get close to some of the structures which is a shame. However, worth a visit as it must have been an imposing sight when complete. The exhibition was interesting with loads of information to see and read. Just remember they close for lunch.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 October 2023
- CLE68Perth and Kinross, United Kingdom485 contributionsGreat visitVisited Arbroath a number of times but never the abbey before today. Although some parts are closed for restoration, it’s certainly still worth a visit. An interesting exhibition with info about the Declaration of Arbroath- aerial view photos and lots of information. The abbey ruins are great and although some parts are closed, it’s still great to see. Nice little gift shop, friendly helpful staff.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 July 2024
- auds01Edinburgh, United Kingdom120 contributionsLovely to visitWe came across the Abbey whilst visiting from Woodlands Caravan Site in Carnoustie. Value for money at £4 for a wrinklies ticket. Great interpretation boards and short film/history presentation. Peaceful burial grounds to mosey around. Fiona and the young man (sorry I didn’t note your name) who is fairly new to his job were both friendly and knowledgeable 🙃Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
429 reviews
Excellent
265
Very good
122
Average
33
Poor
5
Terrible
4
Dundeedreamer
Dundee, United Kingdom9 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We paid our £5 each entry fee, and then were told that half the grounds was closed because of the wind - it would have been nice to know before paying. We also went aware that the abbey was closed until we saw the fencing all around it.
So we had access to the museum and a grave yard .
The museum is very small and the short animation about the letter was difficult to view from any angle apart from standing in a corner (the bench is in completely the wrong place). It took ten minutes to read the descriptions and look at everything in the museum. We then went out and read a few grave stones. Visit done in 20 minutes.
You exit via the gift shop and there was an A4 sign saying Scottish tablet reduced to 50p, tunnocks logs, txix, chocolate etc also reduced. So I purchased 4 bars of tablet and some chocolates. The price on the till was more than the advertised price. The cashier didn't offer to manually reduce them to the advertised price at all, she just informed me that they were scanning at a higher price. I still bought bought them but this added to the disappointment of our visit.
So we had access to the museum and a grave yard .
The museum is very small and the short animation about the letter was difficult to view from any angle apart from standing in a corner (the bench is in completely the wrong place). It took ten minutes to read the descriptions and look at everything in the museum. We then went out and read a few grave stones. Visit done in 20 minutes.
You exit via the gift shop and there was an A4 sign saying Scottish tablet reduced to 50p, tunnocks logs, txix, chocolate etc also reduced. So I purchased 4 bars of tablet and some chocolates. The price on the till was more than the advertised price. The cashier didn't offer to manually reduce them to the advertised price at all, she just informed me that they were scanning at a higher price. I still bought bought them but this added to the disappointment of our visit.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review of your recent visit to the abbey. We are sorry to hear that your visit did not live up to expectations.
As some of the fences had blown over in the high winds in the cloister part of the Abbey, staff took the decision to lock the gate to the cloister in the interest of health and safety until we could get this fixed by specialist staff. Our staff did inform visitors of the fallen fences on the day, but we are sorry if you were not informed when purchasing your tickets.
Unfortunately, fencing is in place at the site due to high level maintenance inspections to keep the site safe for visitors and staff. We are aware that it is disappointing to not have full access to the site at this time. Signage is in place to inform visitors before entering the Abbey, and this is reflected in the half price entry. Despite this, we believe there is a wealth of things to see and do at the site, and it usually takes visitors quite a bit of time to go round the two floors of exhibits and watch and listen to the films and the audio visuals.
We apologise that your experience in the gift shop was not up to standard. We have checked with staff, and human error was involved in the sale of the reduced Tablet. It should have been priced at 0.80p not 0.50p. The staff involved say they apologised for the mistake at the time and that you were happy to proceed with the sale. We hope this did not impact your experience too much.
Thanks again for taking the time to leave a review.
Written 24 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
wahaejock
Fochabers, UK225 contributions
Sept 2021
Disappointed not to get into the grounds. Closed due to safety concerns unstable masonry.
Got into V C at the cost of £4.50 even though info boards and interactive and other exhibits was interesting.
Don't know if the £4.50 is the just for the V C or if this for the Abbey as well but would think not as i would expect to pay around £10.
Got into V C at the cost of £4.50 even though info boards and interactive and other exhibits was interesting.
Don't know if the £4.50 is the just for the V C or if this for the Abbey as well but would think not as i would expect to pay around £10.
Written 15 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for taking the time to write a review. While we completely understand and share your disappointment that the abbey and grounds are currently closed, we had to make this decision in order to prioritise the safety of our visitors and staff while we undertake high level masonry inspection. Since only the visitor centre is currently open, we have reduced the price accordingly. We are glad you found the exhibition interesting and thank you again for your feedback.
Written 19 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK1,85,662 contributions
May 2022
Sadly, the abbey itself is no longer open due to maintenance work to stabilise the abbey walls, and only the visitor exhibition centre is open. The staff couldn’t even say when the maintenance work will be completed. So if you just want to see the abbey, then the only way is from the outside or on the 2nd floor of the visitor centre.
That’s not a bad thing per se, the exhibitions are slick, modern and informative. The exhibitions are across two floors. Much of the first floor focuses on the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Declaration of Arbroath, while upstairs covers the history and life inside the abbey. There’s a near identical copy of the Declaration of Arbroath, which is fantastic.
That’s not a bad thing per se, the exhibitions are slick, modern and informative. The exhibitions are across two floors. Much of the first floor focuses on the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Declaration of Arbroath, while upstairs covers the history and life inside the abbey. There’s a near identical copy of the Declaration of Arbroath, which is fantastic.
Written 27 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fern T
Uttoxeter, UK33 contributions
Aug 2020
The Abbey is closed currently due to COVID but we stopped off to view the grounds which are very impressive. The biggest let down is the town which is extremely run down. If you are passing through then the Abbey is worth a visit but I wouldn't travel far to see it.
Written 19 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CLE68
Perth and Kinross, UK485 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Visited Arbroath a number of times but never the abbey before today. Although some parts are closed for restoration, it’s certainly still worth a visit. An interesting exhibition with info about the Declaration of Arbroath- aerial view photos and lots of information. The abbey ruins are great and although some parts are closed, it’s still great to see.
Nice little gift shop, friendly helpful staff.
Nice little gift shop, friendly helpful staff.
Written 27 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M Harkness
Oban, UK4 contributions
Jul 2022
Visited on Saturday 9th July. I was first in at 10.00am. The vistor center is well laid out and easy to follow. The first part deals with the history and the second section is about the letter/declaraton . After going around the visitor centre you can go outside and walk around the grounds. A lot of foundations have been exposed it must have been an impressive building when it was first built.
the staff were very helpful. Well worth a visit.
the staff were very helpful. Well worth a visit.
Written 15 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KeithARobb
Mississauga, Canada83 contributions
Jul 2022
A very crucial place in Scotland's history. Well worth the visit. Unfortunately the remains are closed for safety reasons, but the visitor's centre is great, and for anyone interested in the history of Scotland, it is a place you can not miss.
Written 8 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EdinbraJ
Edinburgh, UK60 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
I visited some years ago and enjoyed the Abbey. There is high level surveying ongoing so there are a lot of areas fenced off. Don't be put off by this. The exhibition is fantasticly well presented, entertaining and informative. The staff are excellent and have a genuine interest in visitors and the Abbey. I still love the stone handrails when going upstairs in the exhibition.
Written 15 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heltay97
Aberlour, Scotland, United Kingdom3 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Visitor centre was very informative. Fionna was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain to us what was in the visitor centre to see, as well as informing us about the work needing done on the Abbey itself. Only marking it down a star since would have been better if the grounds were open for a walk around.
Written 29 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glen&Isobel
Scotland259 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
There is currently work going on so you cannot access all areas or get close to some of the structures which is a shame. However, worth a visit as it must have been an imposing sight when complete. The exhibition was interesting with loads of information to see and read.
Just remember they close for lunch.
Just remember they close for lunch.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, how long does it takes to visit the whole site?
Thank you.
Written 16 March 2019
Bonjour,
Quelqu’un saurait-il me dire si l’accès aux ruines de l’abbaye est payant ou si nous pouvons faire le tour gratuitement? Et si oui à combien s’élève l’entrée?
Merci par avance,
Celine
Written 18 June 2018
You have to pay to access this Abby. If you have the Scottish Castle Pass it is included.
Written 9 July 2018
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing