The extensive remains of an Augustinian abbey, including its abbots' quarters, refectory and cloister. The substantially surviving chapter house has a frontage richly bedecked with 12th and 14th century carving and statuary, and a fine timber roof of around 1500.
Haughmond Abbey probably began as a small religious community towards the end of the 11th century, and in 1135 William Fitzalan established a house of Augustinian canons at Haughmond. By the end of the 12th century the abbey housed 24 canons, though by 1377 this had fallen to 13. Following its Dissolution in 1539, the abbey was acquired by Sir Rowland Hill, from whom it passed to the Barker family. The Barkers demolished the church but converted some of the cloistral buildings for use as a private mansion. Extensive areas to the north of the abbey were landscaped as formal gardens. This residence was destroyed in the Civil War and the property passed to the Corbet family in the 18th century, by which time it was in use as a working farm. There were still farm cottages on the site in the 1930s.
The ruins of Haughmond Abbey and its environs are scheduled as an ancient monument. The abbey is also listed (grade 1).
Further info:
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/haughmond-... 