Hatfield Peverel Priory

Hatfield Peverel Priory is a Benedictine monastery in an Essex village with a preserved church at its core. The structure features flint and stone walls with tile roofing on the south side of the settlement.

A secular college was transformed into a Benedictine monastery in the 12th century and placed under the authority of St Albans Abbey. A fire in 1231 destroyed much of the complex, leaving only the presbytery standing.

The church contains medieval artworks such as heraldic glass and stone effigies that span different periods. These objects show how people here remembered their dead across centuries.

Plan for uneven ground and stone steps as you walk through the site. Bring weather protection and allow time to explore the structure and grounds at a leisurely pace.

The church interior features a nave and chancel unified as one space with a five-bay arcade supported by octagonal columns. This uncommon design choice in medieval church architecture makes the interior feel quite different from typical examples.

Location: Hatfield Peverel

Inception: 11 century

GPS coordinates: 51.76870,0.60350

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:08