List of monastic houses in Cumbria Facts for Kids

This page lists the old monastic houses in Cumbria, England. Monastic houses were places where groups of monks or nuns lived together. They dedicated their lives to religious practices. These places were often called abbeys, priories, or friaries.

Monks and nuns followed strict rules. They spent their days praying, studying, and working. Many monastic houses also helped the poor and sick. They were important centers for learning and farming in medieval times.

Most of these houses were closed down in the 1530s. This happened during the time of King Henry VIII. It was known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. After this, many buildings became ruins. Some were turned into private homes or churches.

Monastic Houses in Cumbria

Here is a list of some important monastic houses in Cumbria:

Appleby Whitefriars

Type: Carmelite Friars
Founded: Around 1281
Closed: 1539
What happened: The friary was dissolved.

Armathwaite Nunnery

Type: Benedictine Nuns
Founded: Before 1200
Closed: 1537
What happened: The nunnery was dissolved.

Calder Abbey

Calder Abbey today

Type: Started as Savignac Monks, then became Cistercian Monks
Founded: 1135-1137
Closed: 1536
What happened: The abbey became ruins and is now privately owned.

Carlisle Cathedral Priory

Carlisle Cathedral, once a priory

Type: Augustinian Canons Regular
Founded: 1122
Closed: 1540
What happened: The priory became Carlisle Cathedral. It is still a working cathedral today.

Carlisle Blackfriars

Type: Dominican Friars
Founded: Before 1233
Closed: 1539
What happened: The friary was dissolved.

Carlisle Greyfriars

Type: Franciscan Friars Minor
Founded: 1233
Closed: 1539
What happened: The friary was dissolved.

Cartmel Priory

Cartmel Priory's church

Type: Augustinian Canons Regular
Founded: 1189-1194
Closed: 1536-1537
What happened: The church is still used by the local community today.

Chapel-le-Wood Cell

Type: Premonstratensian Canons
What happened: This was a smaller religious house, or "cell," linked to Cockersand Abbey.

Conishead Priory, Ulverston

Conishead Priory, now a meditation centre

Type: Started as a hospital, then Augustinian Canons Regular
Founded: Hospital around 1160, Priory around 1188
What happened: A country house was built on the site. It is now a Buddhist meditation centre.

Dacre Abbey

Type: Monks
Founded: Before 731
Closed: Destroyed around 875 by Vikings
What happened: A parish church was later built nearby.

Furness Abbey

The ruins of Furness Abbey

Type: Started as Savignac Monks, then Cistercian Monks
Founded: 1124 (at Tulketh), moved to Furness in 1126
Closed: 1537
What happened: The abbey is now a ruin managed by English Heritage.

Hawkshead Grange

Type: Cistercian Monks
Founded: Around 1160
What happened: This was a farm (grange) belonging to Furness Abbey. Parts of it are now in a farmhouse.

Holmcultram Abbey, Abbeytown

Holmcultram Abbey church

Type: Cistercian Monks
Founded: 1150
Closed: 1538
What happened: The church is still used by the local community. It was damaged by fire in 2006 but has been restored.

Holme Eden Abbey

Type: Benedictine Nuns
Founded: Nuns moved here in 1921
Closed: 1983
What happened: The building is now used as a nursing home.

Lanercost Priory

Type: Augustinian Canons Regular
Founded: Around 1166
Closed: 1537
What happened: Part of the priory was turned into a private house. The church is still used by the local community.

Nunnery near Kirkoswald

Type: Benedictine Nuns
What happened: A house called 'Nunnery House' was built on the site.

Penrith Friary

Type: Augustinian Friars
Founded: Around 1291
Closed: 1539
What happened: A house called 'The Friarage' was built on the site.

Preston Patrick Abbey

Type: Premonstratensian Canons
Founded: After 1192
What happened: The community moved to Shap Abbey before 1201. A house called 'Challons Hall' was built nearby.

Ravenstonedale Priory

Ruins at Ravenstonedale Priory

Type: Gilbertine Canons
Founded: Before 1200
Closed: Around 1539
What happened: A parish church was built next to the site.

St Bees Priory

St Bees Priory church

Type: Benedictine Monks (earlier possible nun cells)
Founded: Monks founded around 1120
Closed: 1539
What happened: The church is still used by the local community today.

St Constantine's Cells

Type: Benedictine Monks
Founded: Before 1112
What happened: These were small hermitages linked to Wetheral Priory.

Seaton Priory

Seaton Priory site, now a farmhouse

Type: Benedictine Nuns
Founded: Around 1190-1200
Closed: 1540
What happened: A farmhouse called 'Seaton Hall' now stands on the site.

Shap Abbey

Shap Abbey ruins

Type: Premonstratensian Canons
Founded: Community moved here in 1201
Closed: 1540
What happened: The abbey is now a ruin managed by English Heritage.

Wetheral Priory

Wetheral Priory Gatehouse

Type: Benedictine Monks
Founded: 1106
Closed: 1538
What happened: The priory was dissolved.

List of monastic houses in Cumbria facts for kids

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