Windleshaw Chantry — Attraction in St Helens

Peaceful, but tiny graveyard along with the ruins of the ancient Windleshaw Chantry.

This IS NOT - and NEVER has been - an 'Abbey' in the accepted meaning of the word .......... it's a 'local nickname' for the ruins. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO FACILITIES OR AMENITIES ON SITE!

Windleshaw Chantry was built around 1430. It commemorates the gratitude of Lord Gerrard for his safe return from the Battle of Agincourt. Eventually it became a Roman Catholic burial Ground for the church of St.Thomas of Canterbury, which is situated about a quarter of a mile away. Burials often had to take place secretly, at night, as the Roman Catholic faith was being persecuted.

I hope you manage to visit this little Haven of Tranquility - close to the A580 - if you're ever in the area. You might notice a group of VOLUNTEERS working in, and around, the ruins and gravestones. These people give their time, effort and skills because they LOVE this place. They will ALWAYS stop to chat and explain what...

Hats off to the lads that are working on uncovering our history in the grave yard. They are doing a brilliant job and deserve a medal. Worth a look round at your history, note in that small area there are some 7,000 graves there. It also holds the oldest building in St Helens. We all need to move the building up from it being a grade two listed building to...

Came across this after a stroll around the cemetery and tucked away in the rear corner was this ruined Abbey, with the most beautiful stone work. Some old headstones surround the area with a waist high wall, with, what I saw, some ones headstone from the 1700s into the 1800s being around 90 years old! Amazing for that century! Well...