Lilleshall Abbey — Attraction in Lilleshall

Lilleshall was an Augustinian Abbey founded in the 10th century and by the late 13th century it had become a religious house of great reputation and prestige, Henry III visited the abbey twice. The abbey derived its income from gifts and legacies, farmland, two watermills and investments in property, as well as tolls for the use of Atcham Bridge over the river Severn.

In the 14th century a financial crisis contributed to a gradual dwindling of the community; the abbot was accused of mismanagement, and finances were further undermined by the reckless selling of pensions.

In 1538 during the English Reformation Henry VIII dissolved the abbey, disposed of its assets and part of it was converted into a private house by the Leveson family, Sir Richard Leveson (1598-1661) is buried nearby in St Michaels Church, Lilleshall.

The Leveson's were royalists and fortified the buildings as a royalist stronghold during the English Civil War. A Parliamentarian siege resulted in the buildings being severely damaged and after the Civil War Lilleshall Abbey was abandoned.

It was not until the 1950's when the remaining ruins were acquired by English Heritage that the buildings were repaired and consolidated.

The extensive ruins that remain today still give an impression of its past...

The extensive ruins of Lilleshall Abbey point towards centuries of a wealthy religious community on the site. The Augustinian abbey was founded around 1150. But the remains are almost entirely 12th and 13th century. By the late 13th century, it had developed a great reputation and prestige. In the 14th century, ongoing financial difficulties contributed to a gradual dwindling of the community and voluntary dissolution in 1538. After the abbey was dissolved, it was converted into a private house. The buildings were severely damaged in the Civil War during a Parliamentarian siege, but the evocative and imposing sandstone ruins still retain some of its earlier character. The cloister is home to ancient yews, the romanesque processional entrance is still in fantastic condition. Parking is limited but...

Visited Lilleshall Abbey for the first time on Wednesday 07 October 2020 , despite only living a few miles away for over 20 years. It is an English Heritage property and has no admission fee. There is only limited parking by the gateway on the road and a walk of several hundred metres along an unpaved roadway is the only way of access the abbey ruins. At present the access road has several potholes and considerable flooded parts.

The abbey ruins are access via a gate and the abbey is in lawned grounds ,in my opinion not suitable for wheelchair access. The ruins are very pleasant to visit on a fine day but there is no real shelter if the weather...