This is the site of a Cistercian priory of St Mary that was founded between 1147 and 1153. The priory surrendered to Henry VIII in 1539, at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The King then granted the site to Edward Skipwith in 1540, who created a secular mansion there. This was sold in 1544 to Robert Tyrwhitt and continued as a residence, but probably only for a limited time. One household was recorded there in 1563 and the site was completely vacant in 1736. The site is a single pasture field of over 12 hectares (30 acres) that preserves excellent earthworks including clear building ranges with appended rectangular walled enclosures and large ditched or moated and embanked closes. No monastic remains are obvious in this and much, if not the whole, of the well-preserved complex probably belongs to the post-Dissolution house with walled inner gardens and outer water features. {1}{2}{3}