SOME time ago I strolled around Sawley Abbey and I have frequently walked circular routes from Whalley Abbey, both of which are Cistercian Abbeys dissolved by Henry VIII in the late 1530s. The same fate befell the mighty Furness Abbey, which was then the third richest in England.

While I was in Furness I visited the Abbey Tavern and enjoyed a circular stroll in and around Furness, which is beautifully maintained by English Heritage.

The sun was shining and the countryside looked a treat.

The year 2002 has never been short of water and from an elevated footpath overlooking the abbey I could easily appreciate what wonderful water engineers the Cistercian monks were.

From my high point I could make out the depressions which were once the monastic fish ponds.

I could also see how the monks skilfully diverted water through the abbey in a very organised and hygienic manner. You can also see the same fantastic organisation at Whalley.

The Cistercians diverted water firstly though the kitchens, then through the washrooms (lavatorium) and finally though the toilet area and infirmary.

They always constructed their abbeys in beautiful scenic areas and the Rev TB Allen wrote a poem in 1899 about Furness:

Thy pointed mountains green or heather-clad

Thy placid lakes and rural splendour glad.

These were designed by God for saints a home

Twas here Cistercian monks were wont to roam.

The origins of Furness take us back to the banks of the River Ribble, not far from Preston, and so we can claim a local connection.

In 1123, Stephen -- who was to become king in 1135 and ruled until 1154 -- listened to the complaints of the monks who thought that the Ribble site was a bit too damp. He gave them a site which was then called the Vale of the Deadly Nightshade but is now the magnificent Furness Abbey.

The abbey is built of red sandstone, which looks at its best when reflected from sunlight.

This site is only two miles from where I was born and has changed very little since, although the ruins have been restored in recent years by English Heritage and an informative museum area has been created.

To explore the ruins takes time but I had all day, blessed by beautiful weather. After a substantial meal at the Abbey Tavern I followed a network of footpaths along streams and over tiny bridges. Although it was late August there were still young birds being fed and I watched dippers and grey wagtails.

There is some evidence to suggest that the floods earlier in the summer washed out many nests and, to compensate for losses, late broods have been produced.

As already mentioned, Cistercian abbeys are set in wonderful countryside brim-full of history and natural history. Here is a list of other abbeys which have good pubs situated nearby:

Fountains Abbey, near Ripon

Jervaulx Abbey, in Wensleydale

Rievaulx Abbey, in North Yorkshire

Calder Abbey, near Sellafield in Cumbria.

There are also Augustinian monasteries at Bolton Priory, near Skipton, and at Cartmel Priory, near Grange-over-Sands.

While we have the long hours of daylight you should explore these wonderful abbeys.

Getting there: Follow the M6 and A590 signed to Barrow-in-Furness. Turn off the A590 between Dalton and Barrow to Furness Abbey and the Abbey Tavern which has an excellent cuisine.