Name: Thornton Abbey and Gatehouse
Rating: 5.0

Thornton Abbey and Gatehouse

Thornton Curtis, Ulceby, North Lincolnshire DN39, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Thornton, founded in 1140, was one of Britain’s richest Augustinian abbeys by the late 13th century. It has the largest and most impressive surviving monastic gatehouse in Britain, built 1377–82. It was one of the few abbeys to be refounded after the Suppression of the Monasteries as a secular college for priests, but this in turn was closed in 1547.

Sir Vincent Skinner later demolished most of the medieval buildings and erected an impressive house in about 1607, but this was dramatically lost within five years. After 1816 successive Lords Yarborough worked to protect, research and display the site.

Price starts from £8.50 for Adults, £4.50 for Children(5-17 years) and £13.00 for Family(1 adult, up to 3 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

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Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Thornton Abbey: Thornton, founded in 1140, was one of Britain’s richest Augustinian abbeys by the late 13th century. It has the largest and most impressive surviving monastic gatehouse in Britain, built 1377–82. It was one of the few abbeys to be refounded after the Suppression of the Monasteries as a secular college for priests, but this in turn was closed in 1547. Sir Vincent Skinner later demolished most of the medieval buildings and erected an impressive house in about 1607, but this was dramatically lost within five years. After 1816 successive Lords Yarborough worked to protect, research and display the site.
Foundation and Early History: On 13 January 1139 William Le Gros (c 1110–1179), Count of Aumale in Normandy and Lord of Holderness in Yorkshire,[1] pledged to found a new Augustinian priory dedicated to St Mary. Augustinians were canons – priests who lived communally under the Rule of St Augustine, but who undertook pastoral duties at churches outside the abbey. Le Gros endowed Thornton (the first of his five foundations) with a generous income from churches and townships (villages and their associated lands), which was supplemented by gifts from other lords.
A Golden Age: In the mid-13th century Thornton's abbot, William of Lincoln (d.1273), instigated a major rebuilding – perhaps prompted by a great flood in October 1253.[5] Much of our knowledge of this comes from a chronicle[6] completed in about 1533 but based on 13th-century and later documents that no longer survive (see Significance of Thornton Abbey). In 1261, according to the chronicle, 44 masons were paid to quarry 1,500 stones, before work began in 1264 on the great church.
The Suppression and Thornton College: Thornton Abbey was suppressed on 12 December 1539, but none of the buildings can have been despoiled immediately, for Henry VIII and Catherine Howard stayed there early in October 1541.[12] Two months later Henry selected Thornton, among a small group of elite religious houses that also included Westminster Abbey, as a college for training priests for service in the newly established Church of England. In 1547, however, the college was suppressed under Edward VI.
The Rise and Fall of the Skinner Family: After 1547 ownership of the former abbey passed through several noble families, including the Tyrwhitts. They appear to have occupied the cloister buildings and laid out an adjacent garden.
Thornton and the Lords Yarborough: In 1816 Charles Anderson-Pelham, 1st Baron Yarborough (1749–1823), acquired the site to stop the damage caused by quarrying for roadstone, and took steps to turn it into a park.[19] His son, the 1st Earl of Yarborough (1781–1846), instigated excavations in 1831 to expose the remains of the church,[20] and reinstated the roof, floors and windows of the gatehouse, saving it from ruin.
Gardens: The ruins of the monastic buildings are surrounded by large grassed areas. There is plenty of room for children to run and play, but please do not climb on the ruins.
Exhibition: An exhibition and graphic panels offer an insight into the abbey's history, including its career as the focus of huge Victorian Temperance rallies.

Facilities

Parking: Space for 11 cars located directly outside the Gatehouse.
Food And Drink: Hot and cold drinks, and snacks available.
Toilets: Male and female toilets contain baby changing facilities.
Dogs: Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the grounds. Assistance dogs welcome.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets:

Adult: £8.50 with donation & £7.70 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £4.50 with donation & £4.00 without donation.
Concession: £7.50 with donation & £6.80 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £21.50 with donation & £19.40 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £13.00 with donation & £11.70 without donation.
Member: Free.

On the day tickets:

Adult: £10.50 with donation & £9.50 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £5.50 with donation & £5.00 without donation.
Concession: £9.00 with donation & £8.10 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £26.50 with donation & £24.00 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £16.00 with donation & £14.50 without donation.
Member: Free.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/thornton-abbey-and-gatehouse/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

This site is currently closed.

Address: Thornton Curtis, Ulceby, North Lincolnshire DN39, UK

Post Code: DN39 6TU

Council: North Lincolnshire

County: Lincolnshire

Road Access: Thornton Abbey and Gatehouse is 18 miles north-east of Scunthorpe, on a road to the north of A160; and 7 miles south-east of the Humber Bridge, on a road to the east of A1077.
Bus Access: Stagecoach in Lincolnshire services 260, 360 pass the site.
Train Access: Thornton Abbey station is 1⁄4 mile away.
Bicycle Access: Plan your cycling route to Thornton Abbey and Gatehouse at sustrans.org.uk, the National Cycle Network.
Parking: Space for 11 cars located directly outside the Gatehouse.