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Abbeys and Monasteries in England

Most of these medieval marvels are in ruins. For some that aren't, check out Cathedrals.
Or see Abbeys in Scotland | Wales

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Battle Abbey Location map Battle, East Sussex 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 Location: in Battle at the south end of the High Street Website: Battle Abbey Phone: 01424 73792 Fax: 01424 775059 English Heritage Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Bayham Old Abbey Location map Lamberhurst, Kent Described as "The Fountains of the South", not for its importance in medieval times, but for its delightful setting. A Premonstratian house founded in 1211. Late 13th century additions provide wonderful decorative sculpture of the highest quality. Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, TN3 8DE Location: 1¾ miles W of Lamberhurst off B2169 Website: Bayham Old Abbey Phone: 01892 890 381 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Binham Priory Location map Binham, Norfolk 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, Norfolk, England, NR21 0DR Location: On a minor road, signposted Westgate, from Binham village. Binham is 6 miles west of Holt. Website: Binham Priory Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Details of Binham Priory Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Bishops Waltham Palace Bishops Waltham, Hampshire A moated Bishop's palace built in 1135 for the Bishops of Winchester. The bulk of the surviving structure dates to the 12th and 14th centuries, with a great hall and tower. Medieval guestrooms have been restored, and there is a small museum on site. The Palace was besieged by Parliament in the Civil War and the bishop was forced to escape in a dung cart, dressed as a labourer. Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, England Location: 5 m NE Junction 8 of M27 Website: Bishops Waltham Palace Phone: 01489 892 460 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Boxgrove Priory Boxgrove, West Sussex The fragmentary remains of a 12th century Benedictine Priory. Boxgrove, Chichester, West Sussex, England Location: 4 m E Chichester on minor road off A27 Website: Boxgrove Priory Phone: 01424 775 705 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Brinkburn Priory Rothbury, Northumberland English Heritage calls this site the "finest example of early Gothic architecture in Northumberland". Located in a heavily wooded valley. Rothbury, Northumberland, England Location: 4 m SE of Rothbury, off B6334 Website: Brinkburn Priory Phone: 01665 570628 English Heritage Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Buckfast Abbey Location map Buckfastleigh, Devon 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 Location: off A38 Website: Buckfast Abbey Email: education@buckfast.org.uk Phone: 01364 645 500 Fax: 01364 643 891 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Bushmead Priory Location map Bushmead, Bedfordshire The remains of a small Augustinian Priory built in 1195. The Priory is a rare surviving example of crown-post architecture, and the timber frame roof is worth noting. The Priory also boasts medieval wall paintings and original stained glass. Limited opening; check English Heritage website for details. Bushmead, Eaton Socon, Bedfordshire, England, MK44 2LD Location: 4 miles NW of Eaton Socon on minor roads Website: Bushmead Priory Phone: 01525 860 000 English Heritage Details of Bushmead Priory Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Byland Abbey Location map Coxwold, Yorkshire Ruined abbey known for its rose window and lovely geometric floor tiles. Coxwold, Yorkshire, England, YO61 4BD Location: 2 miles S of A170 between Thirsk and Helmsley Website: Byland Abbey Phone: 01347 868 614 English Heritage Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cartmel Priory Gatehouse Location map Cartmel, Cumbria The gatehouse is all that remains of a 12th century Augustinian priory, which had to be fortified following raids by Robert the Bruce. Closed until further notice. The Square, Cartmel Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, England, LA11 6QB Location: In the centre of Cartmel Website: Cartmel Priory Gatehouse Phone: 01524 701 178 National Trust Details of Cartmel Priory Gatehouse Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Castle Acre Priory Location map Castle Acre, Norfolk 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, Norfolk, England, PE32 2XD 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 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Details of Castle Acre Priory Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cleeve Abbey Location map Washford, Somerset A small Cistercian abbey begun in 1198. Little of the abbey church remains, but the 13th century dormitory and the 15th century refectory hall (with a wonderful timber roof) remain intact, giving a good idea of what life must have been like for the monks who made this riverside spot their home. Washford, Somerset, England, TA23 0PS Location: ¼ mile South of the A39 Website: Cleeve Abbey Phone: 01984 640 377 English Heritage Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Details of Cleeve Abbey Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Coverham Abbey Location map Coverham, Yorkshire 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 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Creake Abbey Location map North Creake, Norfolk 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, Norfolk, England, NR21 9LF Location: North of North Creake off B1355. Follow the road to Abbey Farm. Open site, access at any time. Website: Creake Abbey English Heritage Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Details of Creake Abbey Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Croyland Abbey Crowland, Lincolnshire 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 Location: off the A1073, 10 miles N of Peterborough Website: Croyland Abbey Phone: 07761 549 865 Photo Credit: Details of Croyland Abbey Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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