Bayham Old Abbey facts for kids
Bayham Old Abbey is a fascinating old ruin in Kent, England. It's looked after by English Heritage, which means they help preserve it for everyone to visit. This abbey was started around 1207. It was a home for a special group of monks called Premonstratensian canons. They lived there until the 1500s when many monasteries in England were closed down. Later, in the late 1700s, the ruins were made to look even more beautiful as part of a big park for a new mansion. In 1961, the abbey was given to the state so it could be protected.
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What is Bayham Abbey?
Bayham Abbey was a type of monastery where Premonstratensian canons lived. These canons were like monks who followed strict rules, similar to those of Saint Augustine. They built their abbey from local sandstone in the early 1200s. Over time, the abbey grew bigger, with new parts added in the 1400s.
Why was the Abbey built here?
The abbey is located in a quiet valley near the River Teise. The Premonstratensian canons liked to build their monasteries in peaceful, secluded places. The river was perfect because it gave them water and helped with drainage. Bayham Abbey was created by combining two smaller monasteries. Because of this, it became a very important abbey, connected directly to the main Premonstratensian house in Prémontré, France.
What can you see at the Abbey today?
Today, Bayham Abbey is a beautiful ruin. English Heritage takes care of it. You can still see many of the original walls and get an idea of how the rooms were laid out. There are also some amazing examples of carved stone, including parts of three huge windows from the main church area. The stonework is very detailed and well-made for an abbey from the late 1200s.
Exploring the Abbey grounds
The abbey sits right on the border between Kent and Sussex. People believe it might have had an entrance in each county. You can still see the ruins of a gatehouse, known as the Kentish gate, nearby. However, no signs of a Sussex gate have been found. Other buildings that abbeys usually had, like stables and barns, are also yet to be discovered.
The Abbey's Story
Bayham Abbey was closed down in 1525 by Cardinal Wolsey. He wanted to use its money to build new colleges. Later, in 1538, the abbey became the property of Henry VIII. After that, it was leased to different people, until Queen Elizabeth sold the land completely.
From private home to public site
Over many years, the abbey changed owners several times. In 1714, it was bought by Sir John Pratt. His family, later known as the Camden family, owned it for a very long time, until 1961. That's when they donated it to English Heritage, so it could be looked after and shared with the public.
The Camden family built a new house nearby, called Bayham Old Abbey House. They also hired a famous landscape designer named Humphry Repton to create beautiful gardens around the old abbey. Repton made sure the ivy-covered walls of the abbey looked grand and picturesque as part of the new landscape.
In 1872, the Camden family moved to an even newer house, Bayham Abbey House, on the other side of the valley. The old abbey ruins remained a lovely feature in the landscape and were even used for family burials.
