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Lindisfarne
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Abbeys and Monasteries in England(A-C)
Most of these medieval marvels
are in ruins. For some that aren't, check out Cathedrals.
Or see Abbeys in Scotland
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Abbotsbury Abbey
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: In the centre of Abbotsbury village, off the B3157. Most of the abbey remains are beside the current churchyard.
Website: Abbotsbury Abbey
English Heritage
OS SY580850
Heritage Highlight: The Great Barn, the largest thatched building in the world.
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Alnwick Abbey Gatehouse
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: Park along the verge of Ratten Row, off the B6346 Wooler road. Access by footpath across Hulne Park. No visitor facilities.
OS NU177140
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Battle Abbey
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: in Battle at the south end of the High Street
Website: Battle Abbey
Phone: 01424 775 705
English Heritage
Location
map
OS TQ749 157
Heritage Highlight: The abbey was built on the site of the pivotal Battle of Hastings, and contains the traditional location of King Harold's death.
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Bolton Abbey
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: Off the A59 in between Skipton and Harrogate. The abbey ruins are a short, attractive walk from the main parking lot in Bolton Abbey village.
Website: Bolton Abbey
Email: tourism@boltonabbey.com
Phone: +44 (0) 1756 718009
Fax: +44 (0) 1756 710535
Location
map
- Photos
of Bolton Abbey
OS SE075540
Heritage Highlight: The east end of the church, including the arch of the east window, still stand to full height.
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Buckfast Abbey
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: off A38
Website: Buckfast Abbey
Email: education@buckfast.org.uk
Phone: 01364 645 500
Fax: 01364 643 891
Location
map
OS SX740672
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Bury St Edmunds Abbey
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: At the east of the town centre. Open access site.
Website: Bury St Edmunds Abbey
English Heritage
OS TL859642
Heritage Highlight: The 14th century Great Gate is beautifully decorated
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Clare Priory
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: In the centre of Clare village
Website: Clare Priory
Location
map
OS TL768448
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Coverham Abbey
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location
map
OS SE105863
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Creake Abbey
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: North of North Creake off B1355. Follow the road to Abbey Farm. Open site, access at any time.
Website: Creake Abbey
English Heritage
Location
map
Details
of Creake Abbey
OS TF857394
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Croxden Abbey
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: On a minor road 4 miles north of Uttoxeter. Seasional opening.
Website: Croxden Abbey
English Heritage
OS SK066396
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Croyland Abbey
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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
Attraction Type:
Abbey
Location: off the A1073, 10 miles N of Peterborough
Website: Croyland Abbey
Phone: 07761 549 865
Details
of Croyland Abbey
OS TF241 103
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More Abbeys
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Great British Heritage Pass
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Free entry to almost 600 top UK attractions
Visit castles,
gardens, abbeys, stately homes, Roman forts, museums, mills, historic
buildings, lighthouses, townhouses, museums, windmills, nature reserves,
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palaces. Whew!
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