Priories of Gloucester

There are a few priories in Gloucestershire, most of which are in Gloucester. The Priories of Gloucester are all within walking distance of each other, making for a great walk through history. There are many churches and the cathedral to see in the city. Thus enabling you to experience the city’s religious history.

Priories of Gloucester

St Oswald’s Priory Ruins

The Anglo-Saxon St Oswald’s Priory is near to Gloucester Cathedral. It is a historically significant religious site in the city and has an intriguing backstory. The current site is a preserved ruin in a park. There are many posters detailing the history of the artefact.

Lady Aethelflaed of Mercia founded St Oswald’s Priory. She was the daughter of Alfred the Great, around 900 AD. They constructed the original building using recycled Roman stones. Originally, this site was a Christian burial site, but it was repurposed in 909 AD. They brought the relics of St Oswald to the priory. Then they dedicated it to St Oswald.

Llanthony Secunda Priory

Located to the south of Gloucester, just off the canal towpath and a short walk from the historic docks. You can explore the grounds of Llanthony Secunda Priory year-round. The grounds are home to many wildflowers and reeds in their pond.

Only a small part of the mediaeval priory has survived. The site includes the great barn. What remains of this well shows the size and quality of the original building. The ruins of the original barn are accessible throughout the year while walking the grounds.

The canons of Llanthony Priory established Llanthony Secunda Priory in Gloucester. Driven out of their priory in Wales due to constant raids by the Welsh, the canons formed the monastery.

In 1135, after frequent attacks from the local Welsh population, the monks of the original Llanthony Priory retreated and then moved to Gloucester. This was the birth of Llanthony Secunda Priory. The site has various open days where you can explore inside with a guide.

Greyfriars Priory Ruins

Greyfriars was a mediaeval monastic house founded about 1231. The current Greyfriars site is the remains of the 16th-century friary church.

Blackfriars

They founded Gloucester Blackfriars in 1239 for a community of Dominican friars. They called them Blackfriars because of the colour of their habits. Significant fragments of the church still survive, including 13th-century roof timbers. At its busiest, the monastery was home to 40 friars. Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries meant Blackfriars was closed in 1539. They sold the buildings to a local clothier called Alderman Thomas Bell; he, however, converted the church into a mansion. He used the buildings around the cloister as a workshop.

Guided tours are available on request. You can arrange tours via the local Civic Trust. The venue is also now available for weddings, corporate hires, and other private events.