© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)
Woodspring Priory is a medieval monastic foundation located near Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. The priory was established in the thirteenth century as a house of Victorine canons and represents a significant example of regular canonical life in the West Country. The site comprises the surviving stone remains of the priory church and associated claustral buildings, together with evidence of the extensive field systems and fishponds that sustained the monastic community and demonstrate the sophisticated management of monastic estates. The fishponds in particular reflect the importance of aquaculture to medieval monastic economy, whilst the broader landscape features reveal the complex organisation of religious houses within their surrounding countryside.
Woodspring Priory and associated fishponds and field system is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1012722. View the official record →
Woodspring Priory is a medieval monastic foundation located near Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1012722.
Woodspring Priory and associated fishponds and field system 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 1012722.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Worlebury Camp, a large multivallate hillfort and the linear earthworks to the east (4.3 km), Motte and bailey castle and associated earthworks south of Locking Head Farm (5.6 km), Deserted medieval farmstead 420m south of Gout House Farm (7.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Woodspring Priory and associated fishponds and field system's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Woodspring Priory and associated fishponds and field system stands on Lias Group, bedrock that formed in the Aalenian. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone, limestone and sandstone.