Kelso Abbey
Kelso Abbey
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This 12th-century abbey was one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture.
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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
4.0
271 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
126
Average
48
Poor
8
Terrible
5
415debh
Nottingham, UK88 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
The Abbey is worth seeing. The riverside walk is really enjoyable with a tarmac path as well as grassy areas with seating. But the footpaths throughout Kelso and especially in the market square are filthy due to dog poo - lots of it - PICK IT UP FOLKS !! For that reason alone I don’t recommend the shopping area - watch where you put your feet.
Written February 21, 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.
Brucestewart
Livingston, UK10,155 contributions
Aug 2022
Because of ongoing works to inspect and repair the stonework of this once magnificent building the interior areas are currently off limits to the public . However there is much that can still be seen from outwith the closed off area.
Written April 1, 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.
Moobaa F
Texas Gulf Coast, TX25 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
Interesting ruins and graveyard. We just walked through on our walk around Kelso- which is worth the visit itself. Would like to go back an spend more time.
Written July 11, 2016
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.
Richard W U
Kelso, UK74 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
Kelso Abbey and what's left of it is still VERY BEAUTIFUL on a clear sunlight day. Although smaller than many of its counterparts elsewhere in the Borders (notably Jedburgh), it still retains and exudes its mediaeval charm to this very day. A lot of the graves can be read and I think the most recent one in the graveyard immediately juxtaposed to the Abbey dates from 1879, though I'm open to correction. The Kelso War Memorial and a plethora of cafes and quaint shops are situated so very close by, so it is well worthwhile to include this piece of architectural genius from many hundreds of years ago in one's whistle-stop tour of Kelso!
Written January 16, 2016
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.
Heathcote H
Creston, IA105 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
This is right on the main drag a couple of blocks off the City Square. It’s a nice way to spend 10 minutes on a nice day— to contemplate the lives of those so long before us.
How did people build these abbeys?
How did the people live?
What was their relationship with the town?
What was their offense that the abbeys were destroyed?
Graves in the back are inscribed with names I’ve heard from my grandparents.
It’s an inspiring location on many levels.
How did people build these abbeys?
How did the people live?
What was their relationship with the town?
What was their offense that the abbeys were destroyed?
Graves in the back are inscribed with names I’ve heard from my grandparents.
It’s an inspiring location on many levels.
Written June 30, 2019
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.
David K
Kelso, UK49 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
I live within sight of the abbey, and often photograph it, so I'm always aware that its opening times can be disappointing to visitors I encounter outside the fence and gate wishing it was open. Fortunately, you can see almost everything you need to from outside, and also take good pictures. There are some interpretation boards inside the enclosure worth seeing if you are then when it's open.
Written November 11, 2015
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.
Sarahanne08
Warrington, UK78 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
Followed the heritage walk and came across the abbey. The signage was good, but would have liked more information. It would have been enormous in its hay day.
Written September 20, 2015
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.
ediork89
Edinburgh, UK31 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
Melrose abbey is an exquisite historical site in the centre of Kelso, just off the bustling high Street. It stands tall and proud in the cemetery. It has excellent notice boards that indicate how it would have been before it was partially demolished and you get the impression it truly would have been impressive.worth a look if you're visiting Kelso!
Written September 16, 2015
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.
rondonel
Oxford, UK389 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
These ruins are tucked away in a corner of the town at the end of the shops. It is free because there is not much left. However, what there is, is beautiful and there is a sort of park around it with flowers. There are a couple of boards giving the history and the town itself is pleasant with the largest square in the area with many nice shops. Therefore, if you are visiting Kelso, it is a must. The information in the Town Square can give you further information and has postcards and maps.
Written July 24, 2012
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.
JGrant44
Cork, Ireland326 contributions
Oct 2019
The first sight of the Abbey was impressive enough seeing the huge square tower as we crossed the bridge over the River Tweed on entering Kelso.
Thereafter is was a little bit of a let down when compared to other nearby Abbeys. It is still worth visiting as it remains an imposing ruin, but it is difficult to get a sense of the scale of the place, or how it would have been. It is hemmed in by roads and other buildings so much.
So it depends on what you are after, if you are purely interested in Abbeys, then this probably ranks 4 of 4 in the area, but to my mind Kelso is much more than the Abbey. The banks of the Tweed and a river walk, the cobbled square, nice quirky shops, great bars / restaurants and a sense of a place that continues to thrive.
We stayed in Kelso for 3 nights and were glad we did - thoroughly recommend it as a place and the Abbey is worth a visit (it is free). If stuck for time and Abbeys are an obsession I'd go for the other three.
The area around Kelso is gorgeous and not overrun by tourists in any way.
Thereafter is was a little bit of a let down when compared to other nearby Abbeys. It is still worth visiting as it remains an imposing ruin, but it is difficult to get a sense of the scale of the place, or how it would have been. It is hemmed in by roads and other buildings so much.
So it depends on what you are after, if you are purely interested in Abbeys, then this probably ranks 4 of 4 in the area, but to my mind Kelso is much more than the Abbey. The banks of the Tweed and a river walk, the cobbled square, nice quirky shops, great bars / restaurants and a sense of a place that continues to thrive.
We stayed in Kelso for 3 nights and were glad we did - thoroughly recommend it as a place and the Abbey is worth a visit (it is free). If stuck for time and Abbeys are an obsession I'd go for the other three.
The area around Kelso is gorgeous and not overrun by tourists in any way.
Written December 21, 2019
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.
Hi, looking to plan a holiday in around September to Jedburgh and Kelso but looking to see how many dog friendly places there are. Is the Abbey welcoming to dogs please? thank you
Written January 1, 2018
sorry didn't take our dog I would imagine you could walk on the outside of the abbey with your dog. don't worry Scotland is very dog friendly where ever you go
Written January 7, 2018
it was open on Sundays when we were there in July
Written August 30, 2017
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