Gresley Priory

Gresley Priory is an Augustinian priory in Church Gresley, with the lower tower section and foundations around a southern cloister still visible today. A ring of six bells hangs in the tower, including two cast in 1639 and others made by known bell founders.

William de Gresley founded this religious institution during King Henry I's reign, and it operated until its dissolution in 1536 under Henry VIII. This closure was part of the larger dissolution of monasteries across England.

The site remains deeply connected to the Gresley family name, which shapes how locals understand this place. This connection to a founding family gives the location its identity and reminds visitors of the people who established it.

The site is relatively straightforward to navigate, as the preserved structures are clearly visible and the layout around the cloister helps you understand the layout. Visitors should expect uneven surfaces and check the weather, especially when exploring the outdoor remains.

In 1245, a member of the Gresley family exchanged the right to appoint clergy at Lullington Church for a promise of prayers in the priory church in perpetuity. This arrangement reveals how medieval landowners used their property to secure spiritual benefits and blessings.