England > Norfolk > Monasteries / Abbeys

Medieval Monasteries & Abbeys in Norfolk

Binham Priory   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 Attraction Type: Abbey Location: On a minor road, signposted Westgate, from Binham village. Binham is 6 miles west of Holt. Website: Binham Priory Location map Details of Binham Priory OS TF981399 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Castle Acre Priory   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 Attraction Type: Abbey Location: At the western edge of Castle Acre village, 5 miles north of Swaffham. Well signposted from the A1065 Website: Castle Acre Priory English Heritage Location map Details of Castle Acre Priory OS TF813148 Heritage Highlight: The Prior's lodgings Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Creake Abbey   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 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

St Olave's Priory   The remains of a 14th century Augustinian priory on a level site beside the River Waveney. St Olave's Priory was established by Augustinian friars around 1216, under the patronage of Roger Fitz Osbert. The best preserved part of this small priory is the refectory undercroft, a beautifully vaulted brick building that was converted for a time into a cottage. A143, St Olaves, Norfolk, England Attraction Type: Abbey Location: On the A143 5.5 miles south west of Great Yarmouth. Open access site. Website: St Olave's Priory English Heritage - Photos of St Olave's Priory OS TM459994 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Thetford Church of the Holy Sepulchre    The ruins of the 14th century priory church of the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre (sometimes known as St Sepulchres Priory). The church is the only surviving remain in England of this Augustinan order. The priory was established around 1139 on the south bank of the Little Ouse river. Canons Close, Thetford, Norfolk, England Attraction Type: Abbey Location: Off Canons Close, north of the A134 (Brandon Road). This is an open access site. Website: Thetford Church of the Holy Sepulchre English Heritage OS TL863832 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Thetford Priory    The remains of a 12th century Cluniac monastery, one of the most important in East Anglia. Thetford Priory was dedicated to St Mary, and became enormously popular with pilgrims in the Middle Ages when it was said the the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared here. A statue of the Virgin Mary was thought to contain relics of several saints, and as a result, pilgrims flocked to Thetford in great numbers to visit her shrine. Thetford, Norfolk, England Attraction Type: Abbey Location: Near Thetford Station, to the west side of the town Website: Thetford Priory English Heritage OS TL865832 Heritage Highlight: 14th century gatehouse Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Walsingham Priory   The ruins of the medieval priory of Walsingham dominate this lovely little Norfolk village, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham continues to draw visitors as it has done for almost a thousand years. Little Walsingham, Norfolk, England, NR22 6BP Attraction Type: Abbey Location: Access directly off the market place, in the centre of Little Walsingham. Thee is a large pay parking lot within a very short walk. Website: Walsingham Priory Location map OS TF933367 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Wymondham Abbey    Wymondham Abbey was founded in 1107 by William D'Albini, Butler to King Henry I, as a priory of Benedictine monks under the rule of St Albans Abbey. It was later refounded as an abbey in its own right, and lasted until it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538. But the story does not end there, for the great abbey church was saved from destruction by becoming the parish church for the village of Wymondham. The result is a superb church, one of the finest in Norfolk. Church Street, Wymondham, Norfolk, England, NR18 0PH Attraction Type: Abbey Website: Wymondham Abbey Phone: 01953 607062 Location map OS TG107013 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts