It is located 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) south-east of Barnard Castle, on the south bank of the River Tees, and was historically within the North Riding of Yorkshire.

They chose the site for the abbey because of its isolation, close proximity to a river and the supply of local stone for its construction.

In common with many early monasteries, the original church at Egglestone Abbey was enlarged, and partly rebuilt, about one hundred years later.

Egglestone Abbey was to suffer at the hands of Scottish invaders and the rowdy English army who were billeted there in 1346 on their way to the Battle of Neville's Cross outside Durham.

[4] Eventually, much of the abbey was pulled down and some of the stonework was used to pave the stable yard at the nearby Rokeby Park in the 19th century.