One thing I failed to mention in my last post about the Priory, and most certainly should have done, is that the staff throughout the place were most pleasant and obliging. It's possibly a sad reflection on life that when we get such lovely service it has become noticeable.
A former occupant.
Excavation of the site began in 1971, and became the largest to be carried out by modern methods on any European monastic site. It revealed the foundations and lower parts of the walls of the monastery buildings and the abbey church.
Important finds included: a Norman doorway; a finely carved arcade; a floor of mosaic tiles, the largest floor area of this type to be found in any modern excavation; the remains of the kiln where the tiles were fired; a bell pit used for casting the bell; and a large medieval statue of Saint Christopher.
A Victorian pot from when the site was owned by the Brooke family who built a Tudor mansion here and later a Georgian one and only vacated the site in 1921. This is one of a number of interesting things in the little museum.
Eighteenth century clay pipes from the site.
The grounds contain a number of modern works of art.
A Victorian floor tile.
A well in the walled garden.
The site was opened to the public in the 1970s. It includes a museum, the excavated ruins, and the surrounding garden and woodland. In 1984 the separate walled garden was redesigned and opened to the public.
Three little piggies - except one's big.
There were some beautiful Paeonies.
Thalictrum aquilegifolium. I have a white plant of this and have been trying to recall its name for weeks. Thank you Norton Priory for helping me find it.
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