Snelshall Priory, Medieval Benedictine priory ruins in Whaddon, England.
Snelshall Priory is a medieval Benedictine monastery, of which only earthworks and ditches remain visible today. The moated site occupies a defined rectangular area marked by clear boundaries that show up well in aerial photographs.
The priory was founded around 1200 when Sybil d'Aungerville donated land to establish the community. It operated for over three centuries before surrendering in 1535 during England's dissolution of monasteries.
The site preserves traces of monastic daily life that visitors can observe today, such as fishpond depressions that reveal how monks raised fish for food. These remnants speak to the practical routines of a medieval religious community.
The site can be observed from outside and shows clear earthworks and ditches that are easy to spot. As a protected archaeological monument, there are specific guidelines for how visitors can access and explore the area.
After closure, the priory's stones were not left to crumble but were reused to construct St Giles's Church in nearby Tattenhoe. This recycling reveals how the site's materials were redistributed across the region.
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