Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, the author explains the history of the abbey and how it was used. The book covers the origins of the English abbey, monastries and priories, their development from the late 5th century and individual parts including cloister buildings and gardens.

This book is divided into three sections. Trevor Yorke first charts the origins of the abbey and traces its development from the late 5th century to the Dissolutions of the Monasteries in 1536. He also looks at their fate since.

The second section examines their individual parts in detail, beginning with the most striking feature of monastic ruins, the church. He then looks at the cloister buildings, including the kitchen and dormitory; the workshops, guest houses and gardens; and finally the abbey estates.

The final section contains an illustrated time chart for dating abbeys, a glossary of unfamiliar terms and a list of recommended abbeys and priories to visit.