Listed Building record MDO2675 - Forde Abbey, Park Lane, Thorncombe

A country house, formerly a Cistercian Abbey, founded in 1136 as a daughter house to Waverley, moved to its present site from Brightley in 1141 and dissolved in 1539. Surviving elements of the abbey include the 12th century chapterhouse which was converted to a chapel in the 17th century, 13th century dormitory and cloisters of 13 bays, and 15th century porch. The site was converted into a country house in 1649 and has 18th century and 20th century additions. The house has rubble walls with Ham Stone ashlar and dressings, the roofs are of lead and slate. A wall painting depicting a crucifiction scene was discovered in the undercroft during renovations in 1990.

The Cistercian Abbey of Forde was founded by Richard Fitzbaldwin in 1136 as a daughter-house to Waverley. The original site at Brightley was found unsuitable and the Community was settled at the present site in 1141, where it remained until the dissolution in 1539. In 1649 the site was acquired by Edmund Prideaux, who converted substantial parts of the Abbey into a house, so that the present building combines 12th, 13th and early 16th century work with Prideaux's additions of circa 1650-60. The quality of the later work is outstanding, and Forde is one of the most remarkable houses of the West Country. <2-3> <5> <7> Among surviving parts of the Abbey are the 12th century chapter house which was converted to a chapel in the 17th century, the 13th century Dormitory and Frater ranges and a part of the 13th century Cloisters. The gatehouse is 15th century and the Great Hall and the three-storey porch were built by Abbot Charde from about 1520 onwards. The Abbey church has been entirely destroyed, and there are no traces of it above ground. The stables, north east of the house, are probably early 17th century. Fishponds survive to the south west of the house. Site of church of the Cisterian Abbey of Forde and remaining parts, now occupied buildings. <6> Concise historical account. <1>

Record last edited

Nov 21 2023 10:13AM