Haverfordwest Priory (Pembrokeshire)

Recently excavated remains of early thirteenth-century Augustinian priory.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

Recently excavated remains of early thirteenth-century Augustinian priory with the only surviving ecclesiastical medieval garden in Britain.  

History to the present day

The ruins of the Augustinian Priory of Haverfordwest are located on the banks of the Western Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Pemrokeshire. The priory was founded around 1200 using land donated by the Norman Lord Robert Fitztancard and it remained at that site until it was dissolved at the instruction of Henry VIII in 1536 as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

The site was excavated so that the outlines of the buildings can be seen. Much of the architectural material discovered was of a very good standard and can be seen in Haverfordwest museum. The excavations also revealed a medieval garden complete with raised beds, unique as the only surviving ecclesiastical medieval gardens in Britain and the beds have now been replanted with simple plants appropriate to the period.
 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Haverfordwest Priory, Pembrokeshire, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

Open site all year round.

 

Open sites are unstaffed and open to the public with no admission charge at all reasonable times, usually between 10.00 and 16.00 daily.

 

The visitor centre will be closed during the winter, but the gate will be left open for access to the site.

 

 

 

Photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.