Bayham Old Abbey

(vero;2022-Oct-30)

Bayham Old Abbey was founded around 1207 as a merger of two earlier monastic communities which were located nearby: the first at Otham (Sussex) and the other at Brockley (Kent). It was home to a community of the Premonstratensian order founded by St Norbert of Xanten (d.1134) in 1121. The abbey was well anchored in the local community but could not escape the fate of all abbeys after Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. It was closed, its estate transferred to the Crown and leased to royal favourites until it was sold by Elizabeth I. It changed owners several times until a certain Sir John Pratt bought it in 1714. It remained in the family until 1961 (when it was donated to English Heritage) and was used as a residence and country estate. A new house was eventually built on the nearby grounds and the ruins of the abbey incorporated as a romantic feature in the estate gardens.

The ruins are very evocative, the location in the middle of nowhere quite special and we did not regret making the extra detour to get there. Entry is free of charge, we recommend a visit if you happen to be in the vicinity (check opening times before).

Go back to Rochester Castle or go on to 1066 Battle Field and Abbey

$updated from: English Heritage Snapshots.htxt Mon 04 Mar 2024 16:04:47 trvl2 (By Vero and Thomas Lauer)$