The priory buildings were arranged around the central cloister, a garden court that was enclosed on all four sides by covered walkways.
The cloister walks gave access to all the principal rooms used by the monks in their daily life. They would have spent time reading, studying and copying manuscripts there. Simple meals, usually two each day, were eaten in the refectory. The monks slept, fully clothed, in the first-floor dormitory on one side of the cloister.
Rebuilt several times during the life of the priory, by the 16th century the cloisters were lit by large windows opening onto the central garden. After the closure of the priory some of these windows were moved to the nave wall.
Disclaimer
The text and pictures on this page are derived from the 'Heritage Unlocked' series of guidebooks published in 2004. We intend to review, update and enhance the content in the near future as part of the Portico project, whose objective is to provide information on the history, significance, research background and sources for all English Heritage properties.
