The tranquil ruins of Creake Abbey’s former Augustinian church are open all year round, free of charge. Visit them to learn more about the history of this abbey, to draw or paint or just to picnic.
The Abbey Ruins
The ancient ruins of Creake Abbey, dating from the 13th Century, lie in a beautiful and tranquil valley set in 40 acres of meadow in the stunning north Norfolk countryside. The ruins tell the tale of the abbey’s varying fortunes; what survives are the atmospheric remains of the abbey church. A great place to explore, paint or contemplate life.
Creake Abbey probably had its origins in 1206 when Sir Robert and Lady Alice de Nerford established the small chapel of St Mary of the Meadows at Lingerescroft, bordering the tiny River Burn, which still flows through the farm and past the abbey today. In 1217 they founded the Hospital of St Bartholomew there and when the establishment embraced the rule of St Augustine the chapel became a priory, prompting extensions to both the church and priory buildings.
In 1225 Henry III elevated the priory to abbey status and it benefited from many generous donations. During this era the abbey thrived holding markets, sanctioned by the king, and providing fresh fruit and food to locals as well as herbal medicines. A fire around 1484 left the abbot petitioning the king for help. The abbey was drastically reduced in size, with arches and windows blocked. Then a pestilence struck with the last abbot dying alone. In 1506 the lands at Creake Abbey were settled on Christ’s College Cambridge by Margaret Beaufort, grandmother of Henry VIII where an archive survives, full of documents worthy of much more investigation.
The site is now in the care of English Heritage and accessible to the public year-round, free of charge. For more visitor information click the link below.
Why not take the guided walk that passes by the abbey ruins, starting and beginning at the Café & Food Hall where you can leave your car?
