Premonstratensian abbey at Sulby Abbey Farm

Heritage listing

Details The monument includes the known extent of the buried and earthwork remains of the Premonstratensian abbey of Sulby, located in a broad valley on either side of the River Avon. Also included are the earthwork and buried remains of the enclosures, fishponds, watermill and warren associated with the abbey. The abbey, a house of Premonstratensian canons, was originally founded in 1155 in the adjacent parish of Welford, by William de Wideville, who donated the church of Welford and lands in Sulby. The community soon relocated to Sulby and the abbey may have been built on the site of an earlier settlement, recorded in the Domesday Book, which may already have been abandoned by the 12th century. The abbey was favoured by Edward II, who stayed there several times during the 14th century. No more than 13 canons were recorded in 15th century visitations however. The abbey was dissolved in 1538, and the land was occupied by a succession of land owners. The abbey is approached by a broad track orientated north east to south west, running from Naseby which marks the original entrance. The approach is bounded by a ditch 0.5m deep on the western side, and a bank measuring up to 1.5m high on the eastern side. On either side of the track are the remains of at least five large enclosures, measuring up to 100m wide and 150m long, defined by banks and ditches measuring up to 1m high and 3m wide. The enclosures are believed to be the remains of the stock pens and animal enclosures of the abbey. These are overlain by medieval ridge and furrow cultivation remains, indicating later reuse of the area as arable fields. The main building complex of the abbey is located at the southern end of the track and includes an area of low earthworks lying to the south east of Sulby Abbey Farm. This

From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.