Nestled in the picturesque Buckinghamshire countryside, Burnham Abbey, a 13th-century monastic estate, is available for £3.5 million. This historic Grade I listed property stands as one of England’s finest medieval monasteries, offering a unique blend of history and architectural beauty.
Rich historical legacy
Founded in 1266 by Richard, Earl of Cornwall and brother to King Henry III, Burnham Abbey served as a convent for Augustinian canonesses. It housed around 20 nuns until its closure in 1539, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In 1544, the estate was granted to William Tyldesley, Groom of the Chamber, and leased to Paul Wentworth by Queen Elizabeth I in ’74.
The church was demolished around 1570 and the remaining buildings were converted into a house, eventually becoming a farm in 1719.
Restoration and preservation of Burnham Abbey
In 1913, architect James Lawrence Bissley undertook a significant restoration of Burnham Abbey, converting the chapter house into a chapel. In 1916, the estate was sold to the Society of the Precious Blood, an Anglican Augustinian nuns’ community, who further restored and extended the property.
Their efforts have unquestionably preserved the medieval charm of Burnham Abbey.
Glimpse into Burnham Abbey’s features
Spread over 2.8 acres, Burnham Abbey boasts around 20,000 square feet of medieval architecture. Notable features include a chapel, Tudor fireplaces, ancient walls, and the ruins of the medieval infirmary and frater.
The estate also includes an 18th-century Grade II listed timber-framed barn and granary, gardens with a Tudor-style perimeter wall, an ornamental pond, an orchard and a paddock.
Opportunity like no other
Emma Cleugh, Partner and Head of Knight Frank’s Education & Charities, told the Bucks Free Press, “Burnham Abbey provides a unique opportunity for a buyer to acquire an exceptionally well-preserved example of 13th-century monastic architecture.”
She added, “This historic estate offers extensive accommodation in a superb location and presents potential for alternative uses, subject to the necessary consents.”
More from us: Records of Survivors of Pompeii Found
For just £3.5 million, Burnham Abbey could be your very own living piece of history.