Buildwas Abbey, Ironbridge (Shropshire)

Bring a picnic and enjoy a relaxing family day out at Buildwas Abbey. Take the nature trail and explore the remains.

Summary

13th century buildings (or older)
Gardens
Free car parking (on site)

Introduction

Bring a picnic, take advantage of the lovely river-side location and enjoy a relaxing family day out at Buildwas Abbey. Enjoy the outside space to run and play, take the nature trail and have fun exploring the extensive remains of the Abbey, chapter house and crypt chapel.

History to the present day

The Cistercian Abbey of St Mary and St Chad was founded in 1135 by Roger de Clinton, Bishop of Coventry (1129–1148) as a Savignac monastery and was inhabited by a small community of monks from Furness Abbey. The stone from which it was built was quarried in the nearby settlement of Broseley.

The abbey's location near the border of Wales meant it was destined to have a turbulent history. Welsh Princes and their followers regularly raided the Abbey, and on one occasion in 1406 raiders from Powys even kidnapped the abbot. This however paled in comparison to an event in 1342 where one of the Buildwas monks, Thomas Tong, murdered his abbot, managed to evade arrest and then petitioned for re-instatement into the Cistercian order.

The abbey was closed in 1536 by the order of Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, whereupon the estate was granted to Lord Powis.

The abbot's house and infirmary were later incorporated into the building of a private house in the 17th century for the Acton Moseley family, although the remaining buildings are now in the care of English Heritage and are open to the public, who can view the church which remains largely complete and unaltered since its original construction, although it is now without its roof.

The remains are considered to be among some of the best preserved twelfth-century examples of a Cistercian church in Britain.

Other facilities

Toilets: None.

Shop: Small kiosk not accessible to wheelchairs.

Refreshments: None, but picnics welcome in grounds.

Access: Entrance to abbey via ramp. Most of site accessible via rough grass surfaces.

Parking: 10m from entrance.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Buildwas Abbey, Ironbridge, Shropshire, , United Kingdom

Directions: On South bank of River Severn on A4169, 2 miles West of Ironbridge.

Train Access: Telford Central 6 miles.

Bus Access: Arriva 96 Telford - Shrewsbury (passes close to Telford Central railway station).

Opening Times: April to March

1 Apr-30 Sep 10am-5pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols.

Admission Price:

Adult: £3.00

Children: £1.50

Concession: £2.60

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photo Library.