THE long history of one of North Yorkshire's most historic buildings has been celebrated in period style.

The 875th birthday of Rievaulx Abbey, near Helmsley, was marked when English Heritage invited visitors to take part in a "pilgrimage" to the spectacular ruins.

The walk started at Helmsley Castle, then followed the Cleveland Way to the abbey.

There were also activities based on a mediaeval theme, including games, disaplays of traditional toys, falconry, and demonstrations of medicines.

The abbey was founded by French Cistercian monks in 1132. John Lax, of English Heritage, said: "When the first monks arrived in the Rye Valley, it was a wild and lonely place, so the decision to settle there was an act of faith."

But the abbey quickly proved a success, as its population grew to 600.