Walking Tour of Cleeve Abbey: England's BEST Preserved Abbey, English Heritage, History

A walking tour through 800 years of history at one of the best preserved abbeys in Britain, Cleeve Abbey, Somerset, England. Now owned and cared for by English Heritage, the Cistercian abbey is a late 12th century hidden gem, tucked away in a sleepy area of Somerset. Plenty of parking at TA23 0PS, we are members so our day here was free but there is a charge for non-members so please check the website for details.

The Abbey is very special due to its' incredible condition, it even has an intact 13th century handmade tile floor depicting heraldic symbols. In 1536 Cleeve Abbey was ordered to close by King Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, however, a friend of Henry's asked to have the land and buildings for himself, the King agreed and the Abbey became a country house. This actually saved some of the Abbey buildings and prevented it from being totally destroyed. Later, as fortunes dipped in the 18th century, the abbey became a farm.

There is so much to see here, the atmosphere is awesome. There is monk graffiti on the walls and painted murals in the abbots chambers, it feels alive with the history that shaped the land, eerie and mysterious yet inviting. We looked in every space more than once, drawn to the stone and wood carvings, many of which have hidden details of those who created them. So much of the dormitories and other living spaces of the monks remain that it forces an understanding of the era, of the lives and actions that were played out here.

This is truly a gem in the English Heritage crown, an absolute 'Must See' for just about anyone.

Thank you for being here, all the best, Ceri & Kat!

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