Hurley Priory

Hurley Priory sits on the Thames riverbank with its original Norman church now functioning as the parish church of St. Mary The Virgin. Surrounding this are several surviving monastic buildings, including a substantial stone barn from the 14th century and a circular dovecote built to house pigeons for food.

Geoffrey de Mandeville founded the priory in 1086 as an outpost of Westminster Abbey. It operated for roughly 450 years before being dissolved under Henry VIII in 1536.

The name comes from a location on rising ground, reflecting where the priory was built. Walking through the grounds, visitors can see how the monks organized their daily work through surviving structures like the stone barn and dovecote.

The church section opens daily from early morning until late afternoon for visitors to explore. The outdoor ruins and monastic buildings are accessible year-round, though weather can affect comfort during longer visits.

The former guesthouse of the priory continues to operate as the Olde Bell Inn, making it one of England's oldest continuously working inns. This building creates a living link between its monastic past and modern hospitality.

Location: Hurley

Inception: 11 century

GPS coordinates: 51.54960,-0.80970

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:02