HerefordshireLEOMINSTERLeominsterPriory(amandaslaterCC-BY-SA2.0)1 AmandaSlater

Leominster Priory

An outstanding Grade I listed Norman church of unusually large proportions.

Leominster, Herefordshire

Opening times

Open daily 9am to 4pm.

Address

Church Street
Leominster
Herefordshire
HR6 8NH

A church has stood here since at least as early as 660, and there are stories that St David may have founded a church here a century earlier.

Building work on the Benedictine Monastery began in 1123 and it was consecrated by the Bishop of Hereford in 1130. During the second half of the 12th century a west tower was added, and this was raised to its present height in the 14th century. In the 13th century (c1239) a new nave was built alongside the norman nave on the south side. A century later (c1320), this was again extended on the south side by the addition of a further nave.

During the reformation, the parts of the church to the east used by the monks were destroyed. In 1699 the church suffered a devastating fire destroying the roof, some window glass and furnishings. Between 1860 and 1880 there was a major restoration with the architect being Sir Gilbert Scott. The norman nave was reopened, the central and south naves restored, and work completed on the tower. The pillars of the slender south arcade were inserted to create a feeling of space. An ancient ducking stool, one of only two still suviving can be seen in the Norman nave.

Many of the best architectural features can be seen on the outside of the church, especially the Decorated windows of the south aisle, and the outstanding 12th century decoration on the west doorway, made by the same team of mason/sculptors who worked at Kilpeck and Shobdon.

Toilet facilities were provided in the 1970s and a kitchen created in the early 1980s.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Glorious furnishings

  • National heritage here

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Church shop or souvenirs

  • Dog friendly

  • Parking within 250m

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Wifi

  • Daily worship, coffee on Sunday mornings.

  • Church of England

  • Partnership Grant, £5,000, 2016

  • Our Partnership Grants funded a range of repair projects, recommended by County Church Trusts, to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

Moravian Church

Leominster, Herefordshire

A Moravian congregation was established at Leominster in 1750 with the church being built in 1759, consecrated in 1751 and has served the neighbouring community ever since.

St Luke

Stoke Prior, Herefordshire

All Saints

Monkland, Herefordshire

Dating from circa 1100, and beautifully restored in the 19th century All Saints church holds many reminders of the remarkable Victorian hymn writer Reverend Sir Henry Williams Baker.