West Ravendale Priory

West Ravendale Priory is what remains of a medieval Premonstratensian monastery in the village of West Ravendale, on the Lincolnshire Wolds, about 7 miles (11 km) south-west of Grimsby in England. Today it is a quiet rural monument: a few ivy-covered walls, grassy banks and rubble in farmland.

What was West Ravendale Priory?

The priory was founded around 1202 by Alan, son of Count Henry of Brittany, as a daughter house of Beauport Abbey in Brittany. It was one of nine Premonstratensian houses in the historic county of Lincolnshire, and as a dependency of a foreign abbey it counted among England's "alien priories".

Its history was troubled. By the early 14th century the buildings were described as ruinous, and in 1381 only two canons lived here. According to Historic England the priory was dissolved in 1389 and passed to the Crown, in the context of the wars with France. The estate later formed part of the dower of Joan of Navarre, wife of Henry IV, and afterwards went to the collegiate church of Southwell.

What can you see today?

Little rises above ground. Earthworks and rubble mark the site, and the surviving walls of a small building, identified as the former priory chapel, stand up to roughly 4 m high. The ruins are Grade II listed, and the site is also a Scheduled Monument (Historic England list entry 1019867). Further monastic remains lie buried beneath the fields.

This is a place for visitors who enjoy traces of the past in the landscape, not reconstructions and information boards. Do not expect a visitor centre, café or exhibition.

How do you get there, and can you go in?

The site lies about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the A18, near Priory Farm, in the countryside around Hatcliffe. Driving from Grimsby is easiest, since public transport on the Wolds is sparse. The ruins stand on agricultural land rather than in a managed attraction, so check access with Historic England or the local authority before you set out. Do not enter fields or farm buildings without the owner's permission, and do not climb the walls, which are protected.

When is the best time to visit?

Choose dry, bright weather: late spring, summer or early autumn. The Wolds are hilly and thinly populated, and tracks can get muddy after rain. The visit combines well with a scenic drive across the Lincolnshire Wolds or a day in Grimsby.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded the priory at West Ravendale? Alan, son of Count Henry of Brittany, founded it around 1202 as a cell of Beauport Abbey in Brittany.

Do any of the buildings survive? Only in part: earthworks, rubble and ivy-covered wall fragments of the former chapel, up to about 4 m high.

Is the site protected? Yes. The ruins are Grade II listed and the site is a Scheduled Monument (Historic England entry 1019867).

Can I visit without a guide? It is not a ticketed attraction with facilities. The land belongs to a private farm, so confirm access before you travel and respect field boundaries.