Name: St Olave's Priory
Rating: 5.0

St Olave's Priory

Beccles Road, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

St Olave's Priory the wonderfully complete 14th century brick-vaulted refectory undercroft - later a cottage occupied until 1902 - of a small Augustinian priory. This small Augustinian priory was founded by Roger FitzOsbert in about 1216. It is dedicated to Olaf, the 11th-century king and patron saint of Norway whose stark Christian message was ‘baptism or death’.

An inventory taken in 1536 records little of value and the priory was probably already in decline when it was suppressed a year later. In 1547 Sir Henry Jerningham converted the buildings to the north of the cloister into a private house, but little of this survived when the priory was dismantled in 1784.

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

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of St Olave’s Priory: This small Augustinian priory was founded by Roger FitzOsbert in about 1216. It is dedicated to Olaf, the 11th-century king and patron saint of Norway whose stark Christian message was ‘baptism or death’.
An inventory taken in 1536 records little of value and the priory was probably already in decline when it was suppressed a year later. In 1547 Sir Henry Jerningham converted the buildings to the north of the cloister into a private house, but little of this survived when the priory was dismantled in 1784.
Around 1825 the floor of the refectory undercroft was raised and the building was converted into a cottage which was occupied until 1902.
Description: The hidden gem in this unassuming ruin is its 14th-century refectory undercroft. Its vaulted brick ceiling is an important early example of the use of brick in England. Supported on Purbeck marble columns, it is still almost complete and retains much of its original plasterwork.
The only parts of the church to survive are a stretch of the south aisle, the west wall and parts of the north wall. The foundations of some of the brick-faced piers that supported the cloister arcade are visible, but nothing remains of the west range except the flintwork cloister wall, which is pierced near the north end by a 14th-century doorway.
At the back of the refectory is a fragment of Jerningham’s 16th-century house that escaped destruction, which includes a reused 14th-century doorway.

Facilities

Parking: There is no car park for the site but our visitors are able to use the left-hand side of the car park at the neighbouring Priory Farm Restaurant. To get to the priory from here, please walk back to the entrance of the car park and turn right to walk for 25 metres to access the grass footpath on the right alongside the wall in front of you, signposted 'St Olave's Priory'.
Food & Drinks: There are no facilities on site but there is a pub, a restaurant and shops in the village.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds but only assistance dogs are welcome in the refectory undercroft.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Beccles Road, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, UK

Post Code: NR31 9HE

Council: Great Yarmouth

County: Norfolk

Road Access: Located 5 1⁄2 miles SW of Great Yarmouth in the village of St Olaves just off A143 opposite junction with Priory Road.
Bus Access: Ambassador service 577; Anglian services 81 & 81A.
Train Access: Haddiscoe 1 1⁄4 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is no car park for the site but our visitors are able to use the left-hand side of the car park at the neighbouring Priory Farm Restaurant. To get to the priory from here, please walk back to the entrance of the car park and turn right to walk for 25 metres to access the grass footpath on the right alongside the wall in front of you, signposted 'St Olave's Priory'.