Shulbrede Priory

Shulbrede Priory is the surviving remains of a 12th century Augustinian religious house, with preserved rooms including a parlour, buttery, and the former prior's chamber. The structures display medieval details and decorative elements that offer glimpses of daily life within the community.

The priory was founded in the late 12th century by Sir Ralph de Arderne and served as a religious community until suppressed by Henry VIII in the 1530s. Following the Reformation, the site passed into private hands and was converted for different uses over the centuries.

The wall paintings in the former prior's chamber show birds, animals, and women dressed in Elizabethan style, along with the Royal Arms of King James I. These images offer a window into the artistic tastes and royal connections of the place during that period.

This Grade I listed building requires checking opening times and access arrangements before visiting. It is advisable to verify details beforehand, as access may be limited or restricted to certain times.

Composer Sir Hubert Parry wrote his Shulbrede Tunes here, a collection of piano pieces each dedicated to members of the Ponsonby family. This connection to musical history remains a distinctive part of the site's story.

Location: Linchmere

GPS coordinates: 51.06170,-0.75094

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:46