Description:
This Cistercian Abbey from the 12th century was partly rebuilt in the 15th century but became derelict by the 17th century. In the 19th century a new church was built nearby and the interior ot the abbey was used as a burial ground. By 1960 the new church required major repairs, but the archbishop favoured the restoration of the abbey. The restoration was undertaken to provide a church for the parish, but also fullfill functions for pilgrimages, festivals, weddings etc. Much excavation work was done to try to discover evidence of the original layout etc., but sufficient remained intact to be able to reconstruct where necessary. New floors in quarry tiles, instead of compacted clay as original, with an underfloor central heating. Lighting by high-level floodlights.