The Visitor Centre is next to the main car park and worth a quick look on the way to the excellent “tea room.”:http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/travel-product/restaurant/141074 There are three rooms. The first covers the history of the Benedictine Order, the second explains the history of the abbey and the third has information about modern day life in the “abbey.”:http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review/attraction/152785-review-ampleforth-abbey
It is run by enthusiastic volunteers who go out of their way to welcome visitors and explain what makes Ampleforth such a special place.
Pick up a leaflet here with details of an easy six mile walk around the Ampleforth estate.