Much is often said of Halnaker Windmill and the tunnel of trees that lead to it. But you hear less about another significant landmark nearby, namely the ruins of Boxgrove Priory. A short drive east from Chichester and with a backdrop of the Tinwood vines and the South Downs, this is a particularly tranquil and picturesque corner of Sussex and a little piece of our Sussex history.
The priory
The ruins are now owned by English Heritage but are free to visit. The Benedictine priory of St Mary the Virgin and St Blaise was founded in about 1117. It was part of the abbey at Lessay in Normandy and, when founded, had only three monks. At its height, there were 19 monks here, and it was an important community. Boxgrove became an independent abbey in 1339. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, the buildings and land were granted to Baron de la Warr and their life as a priory came to an end.
These days, what you see is the ruins of the lodgings. The Prior would have entertained here and is where travellers could stay. The lodgings would have been a two-story building and would have had a cellar. One wall of the chapter house remains, attached to the church. This is where monks would have gathered daily.
The ruins won’t take you long to visit but they are very charismatic.
The church
An entry in the Domesday Book confirms that a church existed here before the Norman Conquest, but nothing now remains of that Anglo-Saxon church. The building dates from the early twelfth century.
The impressive Chantry Chapel was built by the 9th Lord de la Warr, Lord of the Manor of Halnaker and patron of the priory, in the 16th century. Meanwhile, the nave ceiling was painted in the mid-16th century with the family arms, entwined with flowers and foliage. There are also a number of interesting stained glass windows.
What else?
While you’re in the area, don’t forget to visit nearby Halnaker Windmill and Tinwood Vineyard.
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