Blackfriars, Canterbury

Blackfriars from the River Stour

Blackfriars consists of the remains of a 13th-century friary on the banks of the River Stour. Blackfriars was founded around 1237 by Dominican monks, whose black surcoat gave them the popular monicker 'Black Friars'.

History

The refectory was ready for use by 1260. After the priory was suppressed by Henry VIII the refectory was used as a meeting house by the Anabaptist sect and later by the Unitarians. A Methodist chapel was later built on the former priory lands, followed by a Quaker meeting house. If you've lost track, that's [at least] five distinct religious groups that have called the priory precincts home over the centuries.

The Dominican priory lands grew over time to include the area now encircled by St Peter's Lane, The Friars, King Street, and Mill Lane. The priory spanned the River Stour, with the guest hall on an island in the river and the cloisters, church, dormitory, and refectory on the east bank. The channel that once separated the hall from the land was later infilled and the guest hall is no longer on an island.

Blackfriars from Mill Lane

There are only two priory buildings of remaining; the guest hall, dating to at least 1320, and the former refectory, which is now used by Kings College. The guest hall has been used as a weaving workshop, a private home, a furniture store, a scout hall, and a community hall.

Visiting

Since both surviving buildings of Blackfriars are in private hands, you can't normally view the interiors. You can, however, get views of the hall from the Marlowe Theatre and The Friars.

Perhaps the most enjoyable way to view the refectory is by taking a boat trip along the river. Regular trips leave from the Old Weavers House on St Peter's Street during the summer months. If you don't fancy a boat trip, you can get excellent views from Solly's Orchard public park, on the far bank.

The main gate to the priory precinct is long gone, but there was a second gate at the meeting of St Peter's Street and The Friars. The site of the gate is marked by a stone plaque set into a building wall. The plaque reads:

Site of
Black Friars Gate
Erected 1340
Demolished 1787