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Lilleshall Abbey
Travel Information and nearby accommodation
A lovely 12th century Augustinian Abbey in a peaceful rural setting. The abbey was founded by Richard de Belmeis in 1143 at Lizard, but it moved to Donnington the follwing year and to Lilleshall in 1148. The main buildings were constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries. These include the abbey church, sacristy, chapter house, warming room, kitchen, and refectory.
To these were added the abbot's hall and parlour in the 14th century. Lilleshall gained great prestige, but was never terribly large or wealthy; at the time of the Dissolution there were 11 canons in addition to the abbot.
The abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538 and sold to Sir Richard Leveson, who established his family home here by converting parts of the abbey into a residence. The residence was fortified by the Royalist Leveson family during the Civil War and had to withstand an attack by Parliamentary troops in 1645. The house was badly damaged in the attack and was never fully repaired.
The best of the abbey ruins are centred around the church, particularly the lovely Norman processional doorway, ornamented with beautiful Transitional carvings. The church is quite unusually complete; so complete, in fact, that visitors can ascend a stair to the gallery level and thus obtain wonderful views over the church and cloistral buildings.
Another notable feature is the slype, a narrow, vaulted passage which may have been used as a parlour. The slype has wonderful rib vaulting and gives access to the monk's cemetery.
Lilleshall,
Shropshire,
England
About Lilleshall Abbey
Attraction Type: Abbey
Location: On a minor road just east of Donnington, off the A518
Website: Lilleshall Abbey
English Heritage
Location
map
Lilleshall Abbey Photos
OS SJ737141
Heritage Highlight: Beautifully carved Norman Transitional door
Heritage Rating:  ?
Photos of Lilleshall Abbey
West front of church |
West front 2 |
West door arch |
See all Lilleshall Abbey Photos
Nearest Accommodation to Lilleshall Abbey
Nearest Self Catering Cottages |
 Rickyard Cottage -
8.3
miles from Lilleshall Abbey
Leighton, Shropshire
Sleeps: 2
Stay from: £170 |
 The Byre Cottage -
8.3
miles from Lilleshall Abbey
Leighton, Shropshire
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £180 |
 The Cornhouse -
8.3
miles from Lilleshall Abbey
Leighton, Shropshire
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £195 |
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Nearest Tourist
Information Centre
Telford
Tourist Information Centre
The Telford Centre
Management Suite
Telford
Shropshire
England
TF3 4BX
Tel: 01952 238 008
Alternate Tel: 01952 238 009
Fax: 01952 291 723
Email: tourist-info@telfordshopping.co.uk
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