Name: Isleham Priory Church
Rating: 5.0

Isleham Priory Church

Church Street, Isleham, ELY, Cambridgeshire CB7 5RX, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Isleham Priory Church is the best example in England of a small Norman Benedictine priory church, surviving in a surprisingly unaltered state despite later conversion into a barn.

Isleham Priory was probably founded around 1100 by Count Alan of Brittany. Alan later gave the churches at Isleham and Linton to the Benedictine Abbey of St Jacut-sur-Mer in Brittany. As an enemy property during the wars with France, Isleham had a troubled history. It did not prosper or expand and in 1254 the monks were moved to Linton.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Isleham Priory Church: This small Norman chapel is the best example in the country of a small Benedictine priory church that has remained substantially unaltered. The walls of the original 12th-century building all survive, and only the raising of the nave roof – when the chapel was converted to a barn – has altered its overall shape. To the north you can see earthworks relating to the activities of the small priory community that farmed here and the combination of these survivals with an original priory chapel is also extremely rare.
Origins: Isleham Priory was probably founded around 1100 by Count Alan of Brittany. Alan later gave the churches at Isleham and Linton to the Benedictine Abbey of St Jacut-sur-Mer in Brittany. As an enemy property during the wars with France, Isleham had a troubled history. It did not prosper or expand and in 1254 the monks were moved to Linton.
Description: The chalk-rubble chapel has a nave and chancel, with a semi-circular apse at the east end. The curve at the top of the apse walls shows that it originally had a vaulted, half-dome roof. Barnack limestone was used for the internal arches and the earlier doorways and windows.

Facilities

Parking: There is on-street parking in front of the priory.
Food & Drinks: There are no facilities at the chapel but it is in the village of Isleham where there are shops and pubs.
Dogs: Assistance dogs only.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/isleham-priory-church/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Exterior: Any reasonable time during daylight hours.
Interior: Key available summer 9am-6pm and winter 9am-4pm from Mrs R Burton, 72 West Street, Isleham CB7 5RA, a 5-minute walk from the priory.

Address: Church Street, Isleham, ELY, Cambridgeshire CB7 5RX, UK

Post Code: CB7 5RX

Council: East Cambridgeshire

County: Cambridgeshire

Road Access: Located in centre of Isleham, 16 miles north-east of Cambridge on B1104.
Bus Access: Freedom Travel service 203 (Tue and Sat only) & 204.
Train Access: Newmarket 8 1⁄2 miles, Ely 9 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is on-street parking in front of the priory.