Free Entry
Standing close to Southampton Water, Netley is the most complete surviving abbey built by the Cistercian monks in southern England. Almost all the walls of its 13th century church still stand, together with many monastic buildings.
The buildings were converted into a fashionable Tudor house after the Suppression. Most traces of this house were removed in the 19th century, when Netley's ivy-clad remains, in their wooded setting, came to be celebrated as a perfect medieval ruin - and an inspiration for Romantic writers and poets.
Read more about Netley Abbey's history.
Before You Go
Please be aware: Climbing on the ruins is prohibited and Barbeques are not allowed
Parking: There is limited car parking at the site. Further parking can be found at the Abbey Hall Recreation Ground, a five-minute walk from the site.
Access: There are steps and uneven surfaces throughout the ruins, but wheelchair access is possible for most of the site.
Facilities:There are no toilets on site but there are shops and places to eat in Netley village.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.
Please be aware: Climbing on the ruins is prohibited.
Drone flying: English Heritage does not permit drone flying from or over sites in our care, except by contractors or partners undertaking flights for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and permissions, and are operating under controlled conditions. Please see our drone filming guidelines for more details, or email our Filming team.
Lyme disease is an infectious disease spread by ticks which may be present on this site. The most common sign of infection is an expanding area of redness on the skin, which appears at the site of the tick bite about a week after it occured. Please keep to the clearly defined paths, especially if you have a dog, and check yourself and your pet when you get home.
Plan a Great Day Out
Why not take a trip into Southampton to visit Medieval Merchant's House, just four miles away, and see how people lived in the 14th century?
Or half an hour's drive to the east is Portchester Castle which, due to its commanding location, has been a major factor in the Solent's defences for many centuries. Enjoy a picnic in its grounds and browse the gift shop. If you go through Titchfield on the way between Netley and Portchester, you can also visit Titchfield Abbey, a 13th century Premonstratensian Abbey, which, like Netley Abbey, was converted into a Tudor mansion.
