Ulverscroft Priory Ruins And Priory Farmhouse And Outbuildings

Part of the Priory buildings and the Prior's lodging are now the farmhouse and many of the medieval portions are incorpated in later farm buildings or are other Priory buildings used as farm buildings.

The ruins of the church consist of C14 W. tower of 3 stages with ashlar quoins, 4 bell openings and remains of 2 clasping buttresses.

There are low fragmentary remains of the N. side of the nave, N. aisle and chancel with fragments of medieval tiles in the N.E. of the chancel.

Part remains of the C13 nave S. wall with the lower courses of the clerestory windows and S. door.

2 partly blocked C14 chancel windows remain with carved quatrefoils in blank frieze on jambs and fragments of tracery.

To S. of tower a range of 2 barns, the first of 2 bays with single purlin roof and central truss, the second, the C13 guest house of 4 bays with double purlin roof, 1 truss with arched braces to collar, others with tie beams, and some curved wind braces.

To S. of this barn the walling of C15 refectory with 2 window frames and fragments of tracery.

To E. of this a gateway, buttress and then the house enclosing the C13

C15 parlour with Prior's lodging over.

Inside on ground floor the former parlour with moulded ceiling beams, and C15 stone fireplace with Tudor arch and carved spandrels.

Dissolved in 1539. 'This most conspicuous monastic ruin in Leicestershire' (Pevsner) is set in a valley of meadows, and the remains extensive and impressive.

Described by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as the most conspicuous monastic ruin in Leicestershire, the Priory was dissolved in 1539. The tower dates from the 14th century, although other parts date from the 13th century. Farm buildings were later added, butting onto the Priory. It is a Grade I listed Scheduled Ancient Monument but privately owned.

© Nigel Cox

Scheduled ancient monument.