St. Hugh's Charterhouse, Parkminster

St Hugh's Charterhouse at Parkminster is a working Carthusian monastery near the village of Cowfold in West Sussex, roughly 10 km from Horsham. It is the only Carthusian house in Britain founded since the Reformation and among the largest Charterhouses in Europe. The community keeps strict enclosure, so this is a place to understand from the outside and through its history, not one to tour.

Can you visit Parkminster Charterhouse?

No. The monks live in almost complete seclusion and the grounds are closed to visitors. There are no tickets or guided tours. You can glimpse the buildings and towers from public roads around Cowfold, but you cannot go beyond the walls. For current notices, such as services open to the faithful, check the community's site, parkminster.org.uk.

How did the monastery come about?

The community dates from 1873, when French Carthusians leaving France after the expulsion of religious orders settled here. Their mother house is La Grande Chartreuse. The monastery stands on the site of a former farm, Picknoll Farm. French architect Clovis Normand, recorded in the heritage listing as "Norman of Calais", drew up the design, and building work continued until 1883. Numbers have shifted over time, with around 30 monks in 1883 and 26 in January 2017.

What makes the architecture notable?

The complex is French Gothic Revival. According to its National Heritage List for England entry, the plan includes an entrance courtyard, two small inner courtyards and a large cloistered court with an orchard at its centre. Descriptions rank the cloister among the longest in Europe. The church's west front has flanking spires and a Romanesque-style doorway. The monastery has been Grade II* listed since 4 September 1980, the middle of England's three listing grades and reserved for particularly important buildings.

How do the Carthusians live?

Carthusians follow a contemplative life of silence. Each monk lives in his own cell and eats most meals alone, gathering to dine together on Sundays. Prayer and manual work fill the day. That rule is why the monastery cannot admit sightseers.

Getting there and what to bear in mind

The Charterhouse lies off minor roads south of Cowfold, with Horsham the nearest larger town. A car is the easiest way to reach it. Remember that this is private monastic land: keep quiet, stay off the property and leave drones at home. The area combines well with a walk through the fields and woods of the Sussex Weald.

Frequently asked questions

Is Parkminster open to the public? No. Strict enclosure applies and there is no access to the monastery grounds.

Where can you see the Charterhouse from? From public roads near Cowfold. Views are limited because the buildings stand on private land.

When was the monastery founded? The community was founded in 1873 and the main building work was finished in 1883.

Is it a listed building? Yes, it is Grade II* listed on the National Heritage List for England.