The Abbey of St Peter at Abbotsbury was a Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century by Orc, steward to King Canute. After Orc and his wife Thola died, they left the abbey to the church. The abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538 and the buildings destroyed so that the stone could be used for local building projects.
Abbotsbury,
Dorset,
England
This impressive two story stone gatehouse is all that remains of Alnwick Abbey, a 12th century abbey of Premonstratensian monks, founded by Eustace Fitz-John. The gatehouse itself was built in the 14th century by the De Vescy family, whose coat of arms can be seen over the barrel-vaulted arch through the gatehouse. It can only be accessed on foot, following signposted paths through Hulne Park, hunting grounds owned by the Dukes of Northumberland (see Alnwick Castle entry).
Hulne Park,
Alnwick,
Northumberland,
England
X marks the spot, or in this case,
the abbey marks the spot where the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066. William the Conqueror had the abbey built in 1070, with the high altar built where Harold was killed. A stone plaque now marks the spot. The best preserved part of the abbey is the impressive 14th century Great Gatehouse. There are displays and an interactive exhibit on the history of the site.
Battle,
East Sussex,
England,
TN33 0AD
Described as "The Fountains of the South", not for its importance in medieval times, but for its delightful setting. A Premonstratian house founded in 1211. Late 13th century additions provide wonderful decorative sculpture of the highest quality.
Lamberhurst,
East Sussex,
England,
TN3 8DE
Remains of one of the earliest Norman abbeys in England, established shortly after the Conquest. Binham boasts probably the first example in England of bar tracery in its west window. Part of the Norman abbey is preserved as the parish church.
Binham,
East Anglia,
Norfolk,
England,
NR21 0DR
A moated Bishop's palace built in 1135 for the Bishops of Winchester. The bulk of the surviving structure dates to the 12th and 14th centuries, with a great hall and tower. Medieval guestrooms have been restored, and there is a small museum on site. The Palace was besieged by Parliament in the Civil War and the bishop was forced to escape in a dung cart, dressed as a labourer.
Bishops Waltham,
Hampshire,
England
One of the finest surviving examples of a medieval Dominican friary. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries the friary buildings were converted into a house in Tudor style, and still later, into a cloth factory.
Blackfriars Lane,
Gloucester,
Gloucestershire,
England
A 12th century Augustinian priory set in a superb position on the banks of the River Wharfe. The abbey was founded around 1154 by monks from Embsay who were granted land here by Lady Alice de Romille of Skipton Castle.
Bolton Abbey,
Yorkshire,
England,
BD23 6AL
The fragmentary remains of a 12th century Benedictine Priory guesthouse stands in a field beside the parish church, which is all that remains of the priory itself. There is just something about this place that exudes a sense of peace and calm. Perhaps it is the setting; though close to the busy A27 and the conurbation of modern Chichester, the priory stands in leafy green woods, near farm fields. Finding the Priory is not as easy as its sounds; though part of the site is in the care of English Heritage, there are no brown signs that you might expect for an English Heritage site. Instead, follow the white signs for 'Boxgrove and Priory'.
Boxgrove,
Chichester,
West Sussex,
England
English Heritage calls this site the "finest example of early Gothic architecture in Northumberland". Located in a heavily wooded valley.
Rothbury,
Northumberland,
England
A modern Benedictiine monastery in a peaceful setting on the verge of Dartmoor. A Saxon monastery stood here as early as 1018. In 1147 the monastery became Cistercian, and the entire abbey was rebuilt in stone. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 the abbey property was sold and the abbey left to decay. In 1882 Buckfast was reestablished as a Benedictine monastery, and as such it has flourished. Buckland is famous for keeping bees and producing its own brand of honey and Buckfast Tonic Wine.
Buckfastleigh,
Devon,
England,
TQ11 0EE
The extensive remains of a 12th century Cistercian abbey standing in a water meadow beside the River Severn. The remains are unusually complete, and include the vaulted chapter house with medieval tile flooring. The church is almost unaltered from its 12th century foundation.
A4169,
Buildwas,
Shropshire,
England,
TF8 7BW
In 663 Ad King Sigebert of the East Angles established a religious community of secular priests in Bury. In 903 the body of St Edmund was buried here, over 30 years after his unpleasant death at the hands of the Danes. In 1020 King Canute re-established the settlement as a Benedictine monastery, with 20 monks. William the Conqueroor expanded the number of monks by 60, and granted the abbey additional privileges.
Bury St Edmunds,
Suffolk,
England
The remains of a small Augustinian Priory built in 1195. The Priory is a rare surviving example of crown-post architecture, and the timber frame roof is worth noting. The Priory also boasts medieval wall paintings and original stained glass. Limited opening; check English Heritage website for details.
Bushmead,
Eaton Socon,
Bedfordshire,
England,
MK44 2LD
The gatehouse is all that remains of a 12th century Augustinian priory, which had to be fortified following raids by Robert the Bruce. Closed until further notice.
The Square,
Cartmel Cartmel,
Grange-over-Sands,
Cumbria,
England,
LA11 6QB
The extensive remains of an 11th century Cluniac monastery, with a superb west front and a separate Prior's Lodgings. The priory was established by William de Warenne, a powerful Norman noble. The Romanesque architecture is superb, and the setting in a quiet valley is lovely. At the other end of the village is Castle Acre Castle.
Priory Road,
Castle Acre,
East Anglia,
Norfolk,
England,
PE32 2XD
Clare Priory was the first monastic house established by the Augustinian order in Britain. The priory was established in 1248 under the patronage of Richard de Clare. The priory was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538, but several of the buildings survived largely intact, and in 1953 the priory was purchased by the Augustinans once more, and today it acts as a religious centre and retreat. Visitors are welcome to explore the gardens and grounds.
Ashen Road,
Clare,
Suffolk,
England,
CO10 8NX
A small Cistercian abbey begun in 1198. Little of the abbey church remains, but the 13th century dormitory and the 15th century refectory hall (with a wonderful timber roof) remain intact, giving a good idea of what life must have been like for the monks who made this riverside spot their home.
Washford,
Somerset,
England,
TA23 0PS
Coverham Abbey was a Premonstratensian monastic house established by Helewisia de Glanville in 1190. The monastery suffered greatly from an attack by Scots in the 14th century. Part of the church transept survives as well as a pair of arches. Visitors can also see the carved stone effigies of a pair of knights thought to be sons of the foundress. Part of the abbey guesthouse is incorporated into the current house on the site. The abbey is not usually open to the public, but can be viewed from the grounds of the redundant village church.
Coverham,
Yorkshire,
England,
DL8 4RJ
The peaceful remains of an Augustinian abbey. The abbey dates to the early 13th century, when a hospital and almshouses were established here. This eventually became a priory, and later, an abbey. Creake was a poor house, and when the canons all died from plague the house disbanded and the property given to Christ's College Cambridge.
Abbey Farm,
North Creake,
East Anglia,
Norfolk,
England,
NR21 9LF
Croxden Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery dating to the 12th century. It was founded in 1176 at Cotton, but the monks moved here to Croxden in 1179. Bertram de Verdun, Lord of Alton, founded the abbey for monks from the Norman abbey of Aunay-sur-Odon. The church took over seven decades to build, and was finished in 1254.
Croxden,
Staffordshire,
England
A striking 8th century abbey rebuilt several times; surviving Norman aspects can be seen in the font and the west arch of the central tower. The abbey underwent its final destruction in 1539 as part of Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries. The nave of the abbey church and two side aisles were left standing to serve as the parish church for Crowland. Sadly, only the north aisle now remains. Though the name of the town is 'Crowland', the abbey is properly 'Croyland', the result of a misspelling by a medieval monk.
Crowland,
Lincolnshire,
England
The perfect holiday gift - Free entry to National Trust properties throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, plus discounted admission to National Trust for Scotand properties
Save 25% on gift membership when you pay by Direct Debit
