Lindisfarne

Abbeys and Monasteries in England

Most of these medieval marvels are in ruins. For some that aren't, check out Cathedrals.
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Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum Location map Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire Well-preserved remains of 12th century Benedictine Abbey, still featuring Norman interiors. Over the centuries the abbey has also been home to the Knights Templar and Franciscan nuns. This attraction now combines with the adjacent Farmland Museum. Ely Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, CB5 9PQ Location: 6 miles N of Cambridge E off the A10 Website: Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum Email: info@farmlandmuseum.org.uk Phone: 01223 860 988/489 Fax: 01223 860 988 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Dunstable Priory Church of St Peter Dunstable, Bedfordshire All that remains of the 1131 Augustinian priory, the Priory Church of St Peter has been called one of the finest examples of Norman ecclesiastical architecture in England. Church Street, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England Location: at the junction of the A5 with the A505 Phone: 01582 477 422 Details of Dunstable Priory Church of St Peter Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas Location map Canterbury, Kent Established in the 12th century by the Archbishop of Canterbury as a place of hospitality to pilgrims, Eastbridge Hospital has operated as an almshouse for the last 400 years. View the Gothic undercoft, Pilgrims Chapel, and see the Refectory with its 13th century wall paintings. 25 High Street, Canterbury, Kent, England, CT1 2BD Location: S side of Canterbury High Street Website: Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas Email: info@eastbridgehospital.org.uk Phone: 01227 471 688 Fax: 01227 781 641 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Elstow Abbey Location map Elstow, Bedfordshire The village parish church of St Mary and St Helena evidences the long history of the site as a Benedictine founded in 1078 by Judith, niece of William the Conqueror. Once part of the nunnery church, it is unusual in maintaining a campanile, or detatched bell tower, which was erected after the nunnery tower was demolished. Church End, Elstow, Bedfordshire, England, MK42 9XT Location: just south of Bedford, off the A6 Website: Elstow Abbey Email: c.knell@ucl.ac.uk Details of Elstow Abbey Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Finchale Priory Location map Durham, County Durham Ruined priory, former home of 12th century hermit, St. Godric. Durham, County Durham, England, DH1 5SH Location: 3 m NE Durham, off A167 Website: Finchale Priory Phone: 01913 866 528 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Location map Ripon, Yorkshire Extensive remains of a 12th century Cistercian abbey, that has been named a World Heritage site. Named after the many springs in the area, Fountains grew to become one of the largest and richest houses in Britain. The architecture is superb, including the surviving 168 ft. tower. In October, Fountains hosts a "son et lumiere" show (sound and light to us uneducated louts). The abbey is part of a large site including Studley Royal historic house and water gardens. Be warned; this is one of the most popular destinations in Britain, and can be quite crowded in summer. Ripon, Yorkshire, England, HG4 3DY Location: off B6265 Website: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Phone: 01765 601 005 Fax: 01765 601 002 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Furness Abbey Location map Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria A wonderful church and small chapter house grace this ruined abbey of red sandstone in a secluded valley near Barrow-in-Furness. Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, LA13 0PS Location: 1½ miles N of Barrow-in-Furness off A590 Website: Furness Abbey Phone: 01229 8263420 English Heritage Photo Credit: Details of Furness Abbey Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Glastonbury Abbey Location map Glastonbury, Somerset Is there a place more steeped in legend and myth than Glastonbury? Probably not. Legend holds that the earliest church here was founded by St. Joseph of Arimathea in about 60AD, and that when he planted his staff in the earth a thorn tree burst forth. In the grounds of the ruined Benedictine monastery there is a thorn tree of a variety common to the Middle East which is given to bloom around Christmas time. By the late Middle Ages Glastonbury had become the richest abbey in England, due to the heavy pilgrimage trade. It was rich enough to build an inn for well-to-do pilgrims (the George Inn, on nearby High Street, which still welcomes guests 500 years later). The best preserved building in the abbey grounds is the old Abbot's Kitchen, a curious square building which appears round due to its octagonal roof. In the abbey grounds are the reputed graves of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, which were conveniently discovered by the Glastonbury monks in the 12th century, when the abbey needed a financial boost. Outside the grounds are the abbey tithe barn, which now serves as a wonderful rural museum, and 4 miles away at Mere is the abbey's Fish House, were fish was salted and cured. Glastonbury, Somerset, England, BA6 9EL Website: Glastonbury Abbey Email: info@glastonburyabbey.com Phone: 01458 832 267 Fax: 01458 832 267 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Details of Glastonbury Abbey Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Hailes Abbey Location map Winchecombe, Gloucestershire Ruins of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1246. Hailes was an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. There is a small museum. Winchecombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, GL54 5PB Location: 2 miles NE of Winchcombe off B4632 Website: Hailes Abbey Email: hailesabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01242 602 398 National Trust Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Details of Hailes Abbey Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lanercost Priory Lanercost, Cumbria Augistinian canons founded this priory in 1165. The chancel and transepts are in ruins, but the nave lives on as the parish church. Lovely site in a peaceful, wooded valley. Lanercost, Cumbria, England Location: Off a minor road S of Lanercost, 2 miles NE of Brampton Website: Lanercost Priory Phone: 016977 3030 English Heritage Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Details of Lanercost Priory Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lesnes Abbey Location map Belvedere, Kent Lesnes Abbey was founded by Richard de Luci in 1178. De Luci was chief Justiciar of England under Henry II, and he may have founded the abbey in repentance for his role in the murder of Thomas a Becket. The founder's great-granddaughter, Roesia, had her heart buried at the abbey after her death. Only the foundations remain today, but the give an idea of what this small abbey on the banks of the Thames must have been like. Abbey Road, Belvedere, Kent, England, DA17 5DL Location: on B213, 1 m N of A216 Website: Lesnes Abbey Email: parks&openspaces@bexley.gov.uk Phone: 020 8303 7777 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lindisfarne Priory Location map Holy Island, Northumberland One of the first outposts of Christianity in England. Founded by St. Aidan in the 7th century. The exquisite Lindisfarne Gospels, illuminated here about 698 AD, are now in the British Library. St. Cuthbert was bishop here, and when miracles were reported at his shrine in the 8th century, Lindisfarne became a centre of pilgrimage. The Vikings heard of the monastery's wealth, and sacked the place in 793. Eventually the monks fled Viking persecution, and it was not until the 12th century that the priory was re-established, and it is the ruins of that building that you can see today. Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England, TD15 2RX Location: Holy Island can only be reached at low tide across a causeway. Tide tables are posted at each end of the causeway and are printed in local newspapers. Website: Lindisfarne Priory Phone: 01289 389 200 English Heritage Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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