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Newstead Abbey

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Newstead Abbey is a beautiful historic house set in landscaped gardens and parkland in the heart of Nottinghamshire. Founded as a monastic house in the late 12th century, Newstead became the ancestral home of the poet Lord Byron.

When Henry VIII dissolved the monastery in 1539 he granted Newstead to the poet's ancestor, Sir John Byron, who converted the priory into a house for his family. He retained much of the monastic structure and layout so that, to this day, the house retains its medieval character. The most famous survival is the west front of the church, which dates from the late 13th century. The monastic chapter house also survives and has been used as a chapel since the time of the Byrons. Newstead remained in Byron family ownership until the poet sold it to Thomas Wildman in 1818.

The gardens and parkland at Newstead Abbey cover more than 300 acres. The surrounding landscape owes much of its beauty to the River Leen, which feeds the lakes, ponds and cascades that ornament Newstead's gardens. Some of these water features are believed to have medieval origins as monastic stew ponds, in which fish were bred for food. One is the Eagle Pond, a large rectangular "mirror" pond.

Near the Eagle Pond is the poet Byron's famous monument to his favourite dog, Boatswain, who died of rabies in 1808. This monument stands on the spot which Byron believed to have been occupied by the High Altar of the priory church.

Newstead can be visited throughout the year, although during the winter months it is closed at weekends.

Venue Details

Venue

Newstead Abbey

Opening Hours

1 Oct-31 Mar: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm (until 4.30pm Fri)<br>1 Apr-30 Sep: 8.30am-5pm

Address

Ravenshead, NG15 8NA.