Name: Titchfield Abbey
Rating: 5.0

Titchfield Abbey

Mill Lane, Titchfield, Fareham, Hampshire PO15 5RA, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Titchfield Abbey first built in the 13th century, Titchfield Abbey in Hampshire was the home of a community of Premonstratensian canons. The canons lived communally, like monks, but also preached and served as priests in the local community.

After the Suppression of the Monasteries, Henry VIII gave the abbey to Sir Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, who transformed the buildings into a grand Tudor mansion called Place House. The most impressive feature of the abbey today is a grand turreted gatehouse, which was built across the nave of the church.

Free Entry. 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.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Titchfield Abbey: The ruins of 13th-century Titchfield Abbey, the last monastery of Premonstratensian canons to be founded in England, lie in the valley of the River Meon in south Hampshire. In 1537, after the Suppression of the Monasteries, the abbey was transformed into a grand mansion called Place House, reusing many of the monastic buildings. A large gatehouse was built across the nave of the monastic church.
The Abbey: The abbey of St Mary and St John the Evangelist was founded in 1231/2 by Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, for Premonstratensian canons, an order founded at Prémontré in France and known also as the ‘white canons’. The canons lived a communal life under monastic vows, but were also involved in the wider community, preaching and teaching the Gospel. Of the 14 or 15 canons here, two served as vicars to nearby parish churches.
The abbey owned many thousands of acres of land and had its own farm buildings and a series of fishponds. Titchfield was a good stopping-off place for journeys to the Continent, and Henry V (r.1413–22) stayed there before departing on campaign in France.
Place House: At the Suppression of the Monasteries the abbey was granted in 1537 to Thomas Wriothesley, later 1st Earl of Southampton, who was a loyal civil servant to King Henry VIII. He played a key part in the suppression and was given monastic lands as a reward.
Central to Wriothesley’s new domain were the 11 manors and 5,000 acres (2,024 hectares) surrounding Titchfield Abbey. He proceeded to transform the main abbey buildings into Place House, a residence fit for a rising courtier.
Royal guests at the house included Edward VI, Elizabeth I and Charles I with his queen, Henrietta Maria. Wriothesley’s grandson Henry, 3rd Earl of Southampton, was a patron of William Shakespeare and it is believed that some of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here for the first time.
On the death of the 4th Earl of Southampton Titchfield passed through several families, until 1781, when most of the building was demolished for building stone. In the early 20th century archaeological excavations helped to clarify the layout of the monastic buildings.

Facilities

Parking: There is a small car park at the site accessed via the track through the narrow gate in the high walls surrounding the abbey, opposite the Fishermans Rest pub. There is a £2 charge for non-members payable by text. Parking is free for Members with a valid English Heritage car sticker on display.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open Daily: 10am-5pm Apr to Sep and 10am-4pm from Oct to Mar.

Address: Mill Lane, Titchfield, Fareham, Hampshire PO15 5RA, UK

Post Code: PO15 5RA

Council: Fareham

County: Hampshire

Road Access: Located 1⁄2 mile North of Titchfield, off A27.
Bus Access: First services 4, X4, 26 & 28. Alight Titchfield by-pass and then use public footpath.
Train Access: Fareham 2 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is a small car park at the site accessed via the track through the narrow gate in the high walls surrounding the abbey, opposite the Fishermans Rest pub. There is a £2 charge for non-members payable by text. Parking is free for Members with a valid English Heritage car sticker on display.