A Walk To Woodspring Priory On A beautiful November Day, 2010

The Visit to the Augustian Priory near St Thomas Point, Sandbay revealed more of its remarkable history. On this occasion I met a volunteer working for the NT and he kindly gave me a guided tour of the Priory in places not usually open to the public.Access allowed me to view parts which were built following the Reformation--the large kitchen, the stone-built spiral stairways to the oak studed bedrooms where a ghost is known to roam. This part of the Priory is rented out for £800 a week but this money maintains the priory---It really is old inside and the Guide said that there are floors not yet explored by himself with hidden passages etc.,,Outside the tour continued with new views of the priory and other features which clearly show that it was once much larger---the Reformatory and large barn remain with the Barn still in use---the caretakers cottage is medieval as well but at present has no Caretaker.The guide also informed me that the 4 Knights who murdered Thomas a Becket in the 11th century were themselves all dead within 3 years of Becket's death, AND their bodies were bought to this quiet location for burial until later moved to Flat Holm and Steepholm. One of the Knights, Hugh de Moreville, married one of my Stuteville ancestors, Beatrice Stuteville daughter of Robert de Stuteville. Anyway I really love visiting the Priory and come here several times a year--quite often having a picnic in the grounds--so peaceful--a place where you can feel the past, imagine the Augustian Monks strolling in quiet contemplation