Cleeve Abbey: oh my god!

panorama of Cleeve Abbey Courtyard-click image to enlarge

Two miles (three villages) down the road from Kate's family place is Cleeve Abbey, near the town of Washford. Construction on the Abby began in 1191 and full construction of the abbey took several decades to complete.

The monastery was one of the first dissolved by Henry VIII in 1535. Although the monks were forced to surrender the monastery and all its possessions, most of the monastery was left intact. The exception being the abbey's church which was completely demolished.

After it became property of state, the abbey became a farmyard and many of its building used as barns and stables. The importance of the site wad not recognized until the 19th century, and it became a tourist attraction in the 1860's.

Not only is it the most intact abbey from the time, it also has some beautiful tile work. Only some of the tile work was visible as preservation work is ongoing.

After visiting the Abbey, we spent two hours slowly walking back to Williton. The route was along the 'mineral line' (an old railway route), through Watchet, and over the hill home to lunch and clotted cream ice cream.