Scheduled MonumentsEnglandBuildwas Abbey

Buildwas Abbey

England
List entry 1015813
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Buildwas Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1135 in the Severn Valley near Ironbridge in Shropshire, established as a daughter house of Furness Abbey in Lancashire. The abbey flourished during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries as a centre of monastic life and wool production, typical of Cistercian economic activity. Today the substantial ruins preserve the stone ground plan and walls of the claustral ranges, with notably complete remains of the chapter house, refectory, and other monastic buildings arranged around the cloister. The site was dissolved during the Reformation in 1536 and subsequently fell into decay, though the surviving masonry demonstrates the architectural standards and constructional quality characteristic of Cistercian houses of the period.

Buildwas Abbey is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1015813. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Buildwas Abbey?

Buildwas Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1135 in the Severn Valley near Ironbridge in Shropshire, established as a daughter house of Furness Abbey in Lancashire. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1015813.

Who is responsible for protecting Buildwas Abbey?

Buildwas Abbey is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1015813.

What other scheduled monuments are near Buildwas Abbey?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Moated site at Whitwell (3 km), The Iron Bridge (3.2 km), Bedlam Furnaces (3.8 km).

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