Burford Priory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burford Priory |
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| OS grid reference | SP2499612363 |
| Built | 1580s |
| Built for | Lawrence Tanfield |
| Rebuilt | 17th century |
| Restored | 1912 |
| Restored by | Walter Godfrey |
| Owner | Elisabeth Murdoch and Matthew Freud |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 11 September 1955 |
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Burford Priory is a beautiful old country house in Burford, England. It used to be a priory, which is like a monastery. Today, it is a special building protected by law because of its history. It is owned by Elisabeth Murdoch and Matthew Freud.
Contents
The Story of Burford Priory
How Burford Priory Began
Burford Priory stands on the site of a hospital from the 1200s. This hospital was run by Augustinian monks. In the 1580s, a new house was built here. Sir Lawrence Tanfield, a very important judge, built this Elizabethan-style house. He used parts of the old priory hospital in his new home.
In 1603, King James I even stayed at the priory for three nights! Later, in the 1600s, the house was updated. It was changed to the Jacobean style. This likely happened after 1634. That is when William Lenthall bought the estate. He bought it from Sir Lawrence Tanfield's grandson. The Lenthall family owned the priory until 1828.
Changes Over the Years
In 1828, the Greenaway family bought the house. Their family still holds the title of Lord of the Manor of Burford today.
In 1912, a kind person named Emslie John Horniman bought Burford Priory. He was a Member of Parliament. He worked to restore the house and its chapel. An architect named Walter Godfrey helped him with this important work.
Home for Nuns and Monks
From 1949, Burford Priory became home to a group of Church of England nuns. They were called The Society of the Salutation of Our Lady. Nuns are women who dedicate their lives to religious service.
By the 1980s, there were fewer nuns in the community. So, in 1987, the priory became home to both nuns and monks. These were Benedictine monks from the Church of England. Monks are men who live together in a religious community.
In 2008, the community sold Burford Priory. It then became a private home again. The nuns and monks moved to a new monastery. It is now called Mucknell Abbey in Worcestershire.
Who Lives There Now
Today, Burford Priory is a private home. It is owned by Elisabeth Murdoch and her ex-husband Matthew Freud. Elisabeth Murdoch is a businesswoman. Matthew Freud runs a public relations company. They live there with their family.
Local Legends and Ghost Stories
Burford Priory is a very old place. Like many old buildings, it has some interesting local legends. People have reported seeing ghosts there!
The Little Brown Monk
One story is about a small, sad-looking monk. People say he haunts the old monks' graveyard. He is described as passing through walls. Sometimes, people hear bells ringing at 2 AM from the old rectory. They might also hear chanting. These sounds are often linked to the little brown monk.
The Gamekeeper's Ghost
Another ghost is said to be an old man. He wears old-fashioned clothes and carries a gun. People report seeing him in October, especially near the old vegetable garden. He vanishes if anyone tries to get close. This ghost is thought to be a gamekeeper. He was wrongly accused of a crime a long time ago. Some believe that when the nuns lived at the priory, their prayers helped this ghost find peace.
A Room with a Strange Feeling
There is also a story about an unused room in the priory. People say it has a strange, heavy feeling. Some believe a poltergeist is active there. A poltergeist is a type of ghost that makes noises or moves objects.
