Stoneleigh Abbey
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University of Warwick
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Warwick Town
Tel: 01926 858585
Web: www.stoneleighabbey.org
Founded
in 1154 by a group of Cistercian monks, Stoneleigh Abbey
reflects a rich mix of more than 900 years of history. The
estate was the home of the Leigh family from 1561 until the
late twentieth century.
Many
famous people have connections with the Abbey: Charles I was
entertained here when the gates of Coventry were closed
against him, Jane Austen stayed at the Abbey and uses
descriptions of its grand interiors and gardens in two of
her novels, and in 1858 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
stayed at Stoneleigh.
The work
of famous architects and artisans is displayed in
Stoneleigh’s architecture and rooms. The mediaeval Gatehouse
was built in 1346 and is one of a few in Britain which are
still standing and complete. In 1720 Francis Smith of
Warwick began work on the Great West Wing which is
considered to be the masterpiece of this famous and prolific
architect. The State Rooms of the West Wing boast some of
the finest freehand three dimensional plasterwork to be seen
anywhere. The Riding School (now the Banqueting Hall) and
Stables, designed by C S Smith, is a masterpiece of Gothic
Revival architecture.
Stoneleigh Abbey sits in 690 acres of parkland and gardens
with the River Avon flowing through. Great landscape
architects such as Repton and Nessfield have influenced the
design and form of the land and created a beautiful backdrop
for leisure and sport.
In
December 1996 the ownership of Stoneleigh Abbey passed
to a charitable
trust who, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund,
English Heritage and the European Regional Development
Fund, have in partnership with Warwick District Council
repaired and restored the buildings of the Abbey. The
masonry work required over 225 cubic metres (450 tonnes) of
newly
quarried stone for the facade of the West Wing alone .
Stoneleigh Abbey is
open to the public from Good Friday to the end of October every Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Bank Holiday for guided tours at 11am,
1pm and 3pm. Tour groups can be booked outside of those dates and times
and are very welcome. Evening tours are available. Tours usually last
about an hour and a half.
All of the State Rooms in the West Wing are accessible to disabled
visitors by means of a lift.
There is a tea room which is open from 10am to 4pm serving light
refreshments (contact 01926 858535).
Opening Times: 10am - 5pm
For guided tours of the interior rooms of the Abbey
(at 11am, 1pm and 3pm):
Adults £6 (one child free with every paying adult)
Additional Children £2.50 & Senior Citizens £4
Admission to the grounds (10am to 5pm): per person £2.50
Car parking is free of charge
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