Polesworth Abbey
Polesworth, North Warwickshire
Polesworth Abbey stands of the north bank of the River Anker in the centre of the village of Polesworth. The Abbey was founded almost 1200 years ago and the site contains the remains of the Mediaeval Cloister, the Parsonage House and Refectory, as well as the Church and enigmatic mound in the Churchyard.
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The present church building dates from the early Twelfth Century, though the monastery was founded three centuries earlier, during the time of Saxon King Egbert. The central arcade and clerestory dates from the early Norman period. Sadly nothing survives from the Saxon nunnery founded in 827.
The Abbey Church has a long history, but it remains a place of prayer and the site retains a aura of holiness and peace. Considerable changes were made to the Church building in the Sixteenth century and again in the nineteenth century.
The mediaeval Cloister wall has survived and can be visited in the Parsonage garden which, like much of the surroundings and the Abbey Gateway, is a Scheduled Monument site.
The Parsonage is attached to the Abbey Church on the south side and visitors are welcome to see the Refectory with its Sixteenth Century fireplace and memories of the Elizabethan Manor House that replaced the monastic buildings after the Dissolution. The Elizabethan house has connections with Michael Drayton and John Donne.
The present parsonage dates from the mid-nineteenth century and incorporates much of the Sixteenth Century house. The cellars are Medieval and date from the early twelfth century.
History
http://www.polesworthabbey.heralded.org.uk/?q=node/7
Images
http://polesworthabbey.heralded.org.uk/?q=node/691
Tour of Polesworth Abbey - please note you need a pdf viewer to view the below file.
http://www.vcnw.org.uk/downloads/Parc.pdf
Opening times
Please contact the attraction direct for details of opening times.
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