Coggeshall Abbey

Coggeshall Abbey is a Cistercian monastery located south of Coggeshall town, with surviving sections visible at Abbey Farm. The remains include fragments of cloister buildings, foundation walls of the dormitory and chapter house, as well as Saint Nicholas Chapel and a timber-framed barn from the 13th century.

The monastery was founded in 1140 by King Stephen and Matilda of Boulogne as a Savigniac community before joining the Cistercian order in 1147. This change in religious affiliation shaped its subsequent development and architectural character.

The monks of this monastery were skilled craftspeople who revived brick-making techniques in the region during the 12th century, a knowledge that had disappeared after the Roman era. Visitors today can still observe traces of their craftsmanship in the surviving buildings.

Some areas of the site can be accessed during guided tours, while other sections remain restricted to preserve the scheduled monument status. Wear appropriate footwear as the terrain is uneven and mostly outdoors.

The Grange Barn, built in the 13th century, ranks among Europe's oldest surviving timber-framed structures and demonstrates the monks' agricultural expertise and planning skills. This building offers a rare glimpse into the practical capabilities of the community.