Founded between 1145 and 1148, the Augustinian Abbey at Lilleshall, Shropshire, 8th August 2022 (Author’s Collection).
The tiny Shropshire village of Lilleshall is famous not just for these 12th Century medieval ruins but also for the “Sutherland Monument”, a 21 metre high stone obelisk that towers above the village, “Lilleshall Hall” dating from 1831 and just 2 years older than the 1833 dated obelisk and, within a large acreage of grounds that encompasses the famous hall, both a wonderful golf club and one of three sites and a national academy for Sport England as well as until very recently, the central hub for the England national football team.
The remains of the Abbey were everything I hoped for and expected after the recommendation of a good friend. So much so I dragged my young teenage son into my current obsessional madness for ruins such as these and we simply had a ball together. That said, there are more images of your humble narrator than is custom in articles such as these (I despise selfies) but it’s reflective of the fun and enjoyment we had and the memory we made.
“Making Memories” has long been my mantra for a healthier outlook on life.
Give it a try sometime.
You’ll never feel more alive.
I’ll only add minimal commentary from hereon in and I sincerely hope you enjoy this virtual stroll around a piece of beautiful ruinous history.
*All images were captured by me on Monday 8th August 2022*
Welcome to Lilleshall Abbey!
(1) Two slightly different angles of the very first images of these magnificent ruins you see as you enter the public grounds that surround the Abbey.
(2) Two slightly different angles of the very first images of these magnificent ruins you see as you enter the public grounds that surround the Abbey.
“Cloister”.
The “elaborately carved doorway” dating back to the 12th Century.
A beautiful central view of the entire Abbey and I can’t help but imagine what incredible structure was housed in the archway straight ahead.
Your humble narrator, larking around with his beautiful son in the beautiful sunshine of Shropshire.
“West Range”.
Dual archways situated near the “West Range” above.
“Refectory”.
The doorway leading to the Canon’s Refectory.
Part 1 of the external ruins.
“Slype or Parlour”.
The doorway leading away from the Slype or Parlour.
(1) Some of the elaborate constructions that adorn many of the ceilings both here and at Buildwas Abbey just 15–20 miles away. My recent trip to Buildwas Abbey will be featured in a future article sometime in August 2022.
(2) Some of the elaborate constructions that adorn many of the ceilings both here and at Buildwas Abbey just 15–20 miles away. My recent trip to Buildwas Abbey will be featured in a future article sometime in August 2022.
A rear view of the doorway arch leading from the Slype or Parlour above.
A second part of the external ruins.
A third part of the external ruins and a quite beautiful and favourite image captured this morning.
The magnificent archway and more of the external ruins of the Abbey.
(1) Two more return views of the external ruins as we venture back inside the central chamber.
(2) Two more return views of the external ruins as we venture back inside the central chamber.
Your humble narrator, larking around with his beautiful son and “making memories” again.
A return view from inside the Abbey and back toward the initial entrance.
Yet another favourite image captured on such a beautiful Shropshire morning.
Larking around in the many alcoves and archways of Lilleshall Abbey.
More of the beautiful ruins and archways from the inside.
“The Work of God”.
(1) Two further views of the heart of the Abbey and as per the above “The Work of God”.
(1) Two further views of the heart of the Abbey and as per the above “The Work of God”.
A final return view through the very heart of the Abbey.
(1) Five sun streaked images from the ruins of Lilleshall Abbey.
(2) Five sun streaked images from the ruins of Lilleshall Abbey.
(3) Five sun streaked images from the ruins of Lilleshall Abbey.
(4) Five sun streaked images from the ruins of Lilleshall Abbey.
(5) Five sun streaked images from the ruins of Lilleshall Abbey.
A final reminder of the magnificence of the ruins here and an absolute “must see” if your travelling feet take you in the direction of central England.
Larking around in Lilleshall Abbey.
Thanks for reading. Please see my archived articles for more from historical ruins such as these or my soothing trips beside the rivers and canal waterways of the UK. Alternatively, my three most recently published articles within my travel series are linked below:
