Scheduled MonumentsEnglandLesnes Abbey

Lesnes Abbey

England
List entry 1002025
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Lesnes Abbey is a ruined Premonstratensian monastery founded in 1178 by Richard de Luci, situated in the London Borough of Bexley on the Thames estuary. The abbey was established as a house of the Premonstratensian order, which followed the Rule of St Augustine, and operated as a significant religious community until its dissolution during the Reformation in 1524. The surviving remains consist principally of the flint and stone foundations of the church, chapter house, and associated claustral buildings, which are substantially intact beneath ground level and visible as earthwork features across the site. Lesnes Abbey represents an important example of late twelfth-century monastic architecture and planning, and the site has yielded considerable archaeological evidence documenting medieval monastic life and the abbey's economic activities.

Lesnes Abbey is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1002025. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Lesnes Abbey?

Lesnes Abbey is a ruined Premonstratensian monastery founded in 1178 by Richard de Luci, situated in the London Borough of Bexley on the Thames estuary. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1002025.

Who is responsible for protecting Lesnes Abbey?

Lesnes 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 1002025.

What other scheduled monuments are near Lesnes Abbey?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Burial mound on Winns Common, Plumstead (2.4 km), Shrewsbury Barrow, Shooters Hill (4.3 km), Hall Place (5 km).

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