Waverley Abbey

WAVERLEY ABBEY

Waverley Abbey was the first Cistercian abbey to be founded in Britain.

It is located near a beautiful riverside meadow and in a peaceful valley by the river Wey, two miles south of Farnham, Surrey

Waverley Abbey was built in 1128 and was the foundation house in England of the new Cistercian order of the monks where manual work was encouraged and the liturgy simplified. The reliance of lay brothers to work the land proved very attractive to the uneducated by 1150 there were five other communities in England including Fountains Reivaux and Tintern Abbeys.

Waverley continued to grow until late in the 14th century, providing shelter for pilgrims and an infirmary for the sick. Unfortunately, the Abbey was not well endowed and suppressed by Henry VIII in 1536. Afterwards the Abbey became a convenient source of local building material.

The Abbey’s ruins sit next to the river Wey and provide a picturesque picnic spot. Visit and be absorbed in thought of Brother Cadfael’s alter ego living, working and worshipping on this spot. Waverley Abbey is managed by English Heritage and is open all year, is free to enter and has limited parking More information is available from the Waverley website.

Address:
Waverley Lane
Farnham

Tel: 0870 3331181

More information can be found at: www.theheritagetrail.co.uk

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