3. Wenlock Priory
Cross the line and walk up the steps opposite, go down the path until you reach the tarmac lane and turn right.

As you walk along the lane, look off to your left over the fields to the hills, no matter what time of year, the patchwork effect is always different depending on the farmer’s schedule of ploughing, harvesting or rotating animals for grazing.

The monks from The Priory walked these fields in contemplation and sourced water from 3 ponds in the fields. One can usually see a selection of bird life, including birds of prey and rabbits and badger paths.

As the lane winds downhill a bit, you will get your first glimpse of the dramatic remains of Wenlock Priory (English Heritage). The Priory's turbulent history is related on an audio tour, should you stop for a visit.

It went through several re-buildings and extensions. In the 11th century Lady Godiva commissioned some work on the church. The Priory fell into disuse when Henry VIII went through the Dissolution of 1540.

As you walk alongside The Priory, you will approach a stone tower which was once part of the complex. Inside the walls is now The Priory Hall, now available for public use, but was once Wenlock National School 1848-1952. Walk left into their car park.

On your right is John’s cottage (1400's) a fine timber frame cottage with a cobbled front pavement which gives you a feel of what the town was like. A brook ran down the road and was aptly called “shit” brook because it was effectively the town’s open sewer! Later it was culverted and covered over, thus making the lane.

Wenlock Priory

These spectacular ruins are the 12th & 13th century remains of a church and cloistral buildings belonging to the Cluniac Priory, now under the management of English Heritage.

It is said to be the final resting place of St Milburga, the first Abbess, whose bones were found during rebuilding in 1101.

The Priory Audio Tour takes approximately 35 minutes and is included in the admission price.

Click here for Next Page

Useful links