Cleeve Abbey, Washford (Somerset)

13th Century monastic site remarkable for such a complete set of cloisters.

Summary 14th century buildings 16th century buildings No smoking Gift shop Information provided Learning facilities Free car parking (on site)

Food and Drinks Picnic area

Introduction

The picturesque Cistercian abbey of Cleeve boasts the most impressively complete and unaltered set of monastic cloister buildings in England. Standing roofed and two storeys high, they include the gatehouse; the 15th-century refectory with its glorious angel roof; an unusual 'painted chamber'; and the floor of an earlier refectory, decked from end to end with 13th-century heraldic tiles, the protection of which is the subject of an ongoing high profile English Heritage research project.

The great dormitory is one of the finest examples in the country. Beneath it are the newly-vaulted warming room, and the sacristy with more early 13th-century tilework and decoration.  

History to the present day

The substantial remains of Vallis Florida, a 13th century Cistercian monastery lie deep in the Washford Valley. Known as Cleeve Abbey, the monastery was founded by the Earl of Lincoln's grandson in 1198, and colonised with monks from the Cistercian house that his grandfather had founded in Revesby over half a century earlier.

During the short period that the Abbey prospered, only 28 monks lived at the monastery. Cleeve Abbey suffered badly from financial instability during the 14th Century. This resulted in little building work, a lack of staff and a general breakdown of discipline amongst the Order. Abbot David Juyner was first appointed to Cleeve Abbey in the 15th Century, and the situation began to improve. Throughout his long tenure new building work was undertaken and this work continued until Cleeve Abbey was eventually surrendered to the Crown in 1536.

Today little more remains of the original abbey church than a ground plan marked out in stone, aswell as part of the southern wall adjoined to the cloisters. The surviving Sacristy is one of the abbey's most architecturally significant remaining features and it contains a remarkable decorative 13th century wall painting, and a mosaic tiled floor created from fragments excavated during the late 19th century. In the rectangular rib-vaulted Chapter House little remains of the original splendour but some red colour detail on the ribs and in the window tracery. The most significant survivor from the 13th at Cleeve is the monks' dorter (dormitory) which has been restored from individual cubicles to one large room which was originally lit only by a series of small lancet windows. This medieval dormitory is rare in its completeness and provides an insight into the lifestyle lived by the early Cistercian inhabitants.

Abbot Juyner reconstructed the refectory (dining room) in the 15th century and incorporated some of the earlier structure into the higher quality architecture of his period, but the majority was lost or buried. The new refectory was topped with an outstanding wagon-style timber roof adorned with carved bosses and angels. Originating from the same period, a small upper chamber displays a stunning wall painting covering the length of one side.

A large are of original tiled floor from the 13th century refectory was unearthed in excellent condition during 19th century excavations. The tiled flooring has been uncovered and the arrangement of heraldic tiles that show the exacting skills of the craftsmen of that period. Cleeve Abbey was converted for use as a large home following the Dissolution and some 17th century alterations are observable in the claustral buildings and the refectory. It was also a working farm for some 300 years, with the refectory acting as stables and stores.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Cleeve Abbey, Somerset, , United Kingdom

Opening times: 2011

1 Apr-30 Jun 10am-5pm daily

1 Jul-31 Aug 10am-6pm  daily

1-30 Sep 10am-5pm daily

1 - 31 Oct-10am-4pm daily

1 Nov-31 Mar Closed

Admission prices:

Adult:£4.20

Children:£2.50 (5-15yrs)

Concession:£3.80

Photographs copyright of English Heritage Photographic Library