Waverley Abbey - Surrey, UK - Abbeys, Convents and Monasteries on Waymarking.com

These ruins are all that remains of Britain's first Cistercian monastery.

Waverley Abbey was founded in 1128 by William Giffard, bishop of Winchester (1107-29). It was home to a Cistercian community for more than 400 years.

In its heyday, up to 70 monks and 120 lay brothers lived and workshipped here. The ruins you see today are part of a central group of buildings which stood within a much larger precint of about 60 acres, enclosed by a stone wall.

The abbey was suppressed by King Henry VIII in 1536. The monks were dispersed and the site granted to Sir William FitzWilliam, later earl of Southhampton (d.1542). He built a house here, incorporating some of the monastic structures.

Several families held the property trought to the early 18th century, when a new house was built to the north. The abbey ruins were then incorporated into picturesque parkland. The 18th-century house, which still stands behind, was later extended and rebuilt.

Source: information board on the place

Web site: (visit link)

Full name of the abbey/monastery/convent: The Abbey of the Blessed Mary of Waverley Address: Waverley Ln Farnham, Surrey UK GU9 8EP Religious affiliation: Cistercian Date founded/constructed: 1128 Web Site: [Web Link] Status of Use: Abandoned Ruin

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