Ampleforth Abbey upgrades its monks' accommodation with en suite cells

The Benedictine monks of Ampleforth Abbey have had a new subject to contemplate: should the monastic life include an en suite bathroom?

The Abbey is undergoing its first major refurbishment in 120 years, at a cost of £6.8 million. For the community of 58 monks, it challenges their vow to lead a life of simplicity.

Their cells, unchanged in the last century except for the introduction of electric light and the installation of a hand basin, are to be revamped with an emphasis on comfort and privacy. Where once they had to queue for a shower in one of the three shared bathrooms, now they will have their own facilities. The new accommodation will be "homely".

Architect’s impressions of the new rooms include comfortable furnishings and modern storage - and even a selection of Molton Brown products in the bathroom.

Father Chad Boulton, resident at the North Yorkshire monastery for the past 25 years, said the modernisation is badly needed. While money has been spent over the years on the adjoining school, where old boys include Julian Fellowes, William Dalrymple and Antony Gormley, the monks’ accommodation has been neglected.

“We have had a great debate as a community over what is acceptable for a monk. Is an en suite going too far for a monk?” said Fr Chad, 52.

“A monastery has to adapt to change. Our old rooms had sinks backing on to the one in the next room. The noise they made was horrendous - it sounded like Niagara Falls. We had to introduce a rule where no monk could use the sink between 10.30pm and 5.30am.

“We have heating problems, water leaks, windows that don’t close. You wonder how much energy we are actually wasting.

“It is a fantastic and much-loved building in a beautiful location. Monks are not very good with change, but these renovations are needed to make the building feel cared for.”

The youngest monk in the community is 25, and the oldest is in their 90s. Fr Henry, 83, who whizzes around the grounds on his scooter, first moved into the monastery 65 year ago - before the arrival of sinks or central heating.

“Standards have risen while ours have not,” he said. “I tried to tape my window shut to stop the window banging but it didn’t really do anything.

“We are not after luxury, not even comfort, but acceptable living arrangements. I don’t think there are many buildings that have not been renovated in 120  years.”

As well as the living quarters, the refurbishment will include replacing all the windows and repairing the chimney. A loop system will be installed for monks who are hard of hearing.

The monks are temporarily living in another building on site while the work takes place. The Abbey is appealing for help to raise the final £1 million of the renovation cost, but the monks are doing their bit.

“We looked at everything we didn’t really need and sold it,” Fr Wansbrough said. “Even a monk acquires clutter over the years.”