Goldcliff Priory, Benedictine priory ruins in Monmouthshire, Wales.
Goldcliff Priory is a Benedictine priory in Monmouthshire whose foundation remains consist of a central block with wings about 37 meters long and 11 meters wide. The ruins sit adjacent to an earthwork enclosure and are now visible mainly through aerial photographs.
Robert de Chandos founded the priory in 1113 as a subsidiary of Bec Abbey in Normandy. The establishment came with land grants that provided the new community with economic support.
The monks here wore white habits that set them apart from other Benedictine communities who dressed in black. This distinctive dress made the priory recognizable and shaped the visual identity of the monastic life.
The site sits near Hill Farm and is difficult to access on foot since the remains are mostly visible from above. Visitors should be cautious and mindful of the surrounding farmland when exploring.
The monks built an extensive drainage system including the Monksditch channel that transformed coastal salt marshes into workable farmland. This engineering effort allowed the community to turn the region's wet areas into productive agricultural space.
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