Wenlock Priory — Attraction in Much Wenlock

Stunning ruins of Wenlock Priory. Great lesson of history and peaceful walk around the remains once large and unique Abbey.

Wenlock Priory, located in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, England, was founded as a monastic site in the 7th century by St. Milburga, a local saint and granddaughter of King Penda of Mercia. Initially a small Anglo-Saxon convent, the site later fell into decline. In 1079, after the Norman Conquest, it was reestablished as a priory by Roger de Montgomery, a prominent Norman noble, and dedicated to St. Milburga. It was then affiliated with the Cluniac order, a branch of the Benedictines, and became known for its strict adherence to the Cluniac ideals of reform and monastic discipline.

Over the centuries, Wenlock Priory grew in wealth and influence, gaining substantial lands and resources. The priory was renowned for its impressive architecture, especially its church and cloisters, and became a center of religious and economic life in the region. However, like many monasteries in England, it was dissolved in 1540 under the orders of King Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

After the dissolution, the priory buildings were partially dismantled and fell into ruin, though portions were converted into a private residence. Today, Wenlock Priory is managed by English Heritage, and its surviving ruins are a popular historical site, known for their elaborate carvings and...

The first religious site here was established in 680 by Anglo-Saxon lord Merewalh. His daughter Milburga was left in charge and she was eventually venerated as a Saint. A minster was constructed at Wenlock in 1044 and then after the Norman conquest Roger de Montgomery turned the location into a priory dependent on the French monastery in Cluny. He dedicated the priory to St Michael and St Milburga. Wenlock became a key site of pilgrimage, and the priory grew rich. The ruins of the church at the site date from the 12th and 13th century. A large cruciform structure, the remaining ruins comprise the ends of the transepts, a portion of the north aisle and many of the column bases. The four largest column bases would have supported the large tower in the centre of the church. Also remaining are the stunning traceried arches of the Norman chapter house. The Hundred Years War with France (1337-1453) saw many restrictions placed on French monasteries and priories. In 1376, the first English prior was appointed and then 20 years later the priory was declared English. The Reformation and suppression of the monasteries saw the priory stripped of valuables and finally closed in 1540. The priory is under the care of English Heritage. Visits are good value for members, but costly for...

Safeguarding history for the privileged! I visited here today, admittedly rather naively, not realising it was an EH site. I duly paid my £3 parking only then to be asked for £23 for my wife and I to look around which seemed incredibly steep! When I said I hadn’t realised there was an additional entrance fee and turned to go the lady behind the counter became incredibly snooty and short with us. Perhaps i wasn’t the usual clientele she was used to dealing with? (6ft, bearded biker type) she demanded to know if we were UK tax payers (we are) and basically shouted us out of the building, lecturing us on the costs of upkeep. We are National Trust members and joined after having many lovely days out at NT sites. The staff are always friendly and welcoming and we always felt like we received value whether as members or when purchasing day tickets. I don’t feel there was as much to see or do at Wenlock Abbey as the average NT site (who usually only charge £8.95 per adult for tickets with free parking) and given the way we were treated, if this is an example of how English Heritage staff treat potential customers then I don’t think I will consider becoming an EH member. As it was, I put my pay&display ticket on the meter for someone else to make use of and we...