Description

ULVERSCROFT PRIORY LANE (North Side)
SK 51 SW
Ulverscroft Priory Ruins and
3/132 Priory Farmhouse and
Outbuildings
1.6.66
GV I

Ruins of church of C13 and later together with house and outbuildings of C13
and later. Granite and slate rubble stone with some red brick walling and
dressings and Swithland slate and corrugated roofs. Part of the Priory
buildings and the Prior's lodging are now the farmhouse and many of the
medieval portions are incorpated in later farm buildings or are other
Priory buildings used as farm buildings. The house forms part of one
side of a quadrangle on the S. side of the church ruins. The quadrangle
is largely of farm buildings some being lean-to against the S. wall of
the church, those on the W. side being converted from monastic buildings.
The ruins of the church consist of C14 W. tower of 3 stages with ashlar
quoins, 4 bell openings and remains of 2 clasping buttresses. Large W.
window frame. There are low fragmentary remains of the N. side of the
nave, N. aisle and chancel with fragments of medieval tiles in the N.E.
of the chancel. Part remains of the C13 nave S. wall with the lower
courses of the clerestory windows and S. door. 2 partly blocked C14 chancel
windows remain with carved quatrefoils in blank frieze on jambs and
fragments of tracery. There are the remains also of the Sedilia and
Piscina niches. To S. of tower a range of 2 barns, the first of 2 bays
with single purlin roof and central truss, the second, the C13 guest house
of 4 bays with double purlin roof, 1 truss with arched braces to collar,
others with tie beams, and some curved wind braces. Blocked window frame
with hood mould and label stops to rear. Close studding in N. end gable.
To S. of this barn the walling of C15 refectory with 2 window frames and
fragments of tracery. To E. of this a gateway, buttress and then the house
enclosing the C13 and C15 parlour with Prior's lodging over. The front
of this faces S: large gable to left projecting forwards with C19 gable
of brick with Swithland slate roof. Various ridge, side and end stacks.
3 storeys of 3 windows. 2-light casements with cambered lintels on 2nd
floor. On 1st floor a blocked 2-light stone mullion window either side a
similar 3-light window with cusped heads and brick lintel. Below a
doorway to left with cambered lintel, wooden frame and door. In the centre
a 4-light mullion window with cusped heads and heavy central jamb. To
extreme left and right a buttress with set-offs. On gables return a part
stone, part brick projecting stack in angle. In section to right a 2nd
floor 3-light casement and ground floor blocked door. Extending from
right end a lower wing, probably C18, with right end of roof hipped and
central ridge stack. 2 storeys of 2 2-light casements with 3-light and 2-light
to ground floor. Cambered lintels. On right end a C20 glazed door and
window in single frame with 2-light over. Chamfered beams inside. The
rear facing the quadrangle has mainly C19 2 and 3-light casements and doors
with a stone pointed arch window on centre right 1st floor. Inside on
ground floor the former parlour with moulded ceiling beams, and C15 stone
fireplace with Tudor arch and carved spandrels. Remains of close studding,
blocked doorways. To N.E. of house a 1 storey outbuilding of rubble
stone with brick dressings and corrugated roof. Door and 3 bull's eye
windows. Similar range of outbuildings leans onto S. wall of church.
This priory of the Augustinian Order was founded in the reign of Henry II
by Robert, Earl of Leicester. It became a house of Austin Canons in reign
of Edward II and provided an important lodging post for travellers. Dissolved
in 1539. 'This most conspicuous monastic ruin in Leicestershire' (Pevsner)
is set in a valley of meadows, and the remains extensive and impressive.
Scheduled ancient monument.

Listing NGR: SK5012312710

External Links

• Historic England Listing

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014