Pictures of St. Osyth Priory

in the town of Brightlingsea, in the county of Essex

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About St. Osyth Priory

The ruins of St.Osyth's Priory are the most picturesque and impressive range of monastic buildings in Essex. The priory dates largely from the 12th-century, standing in a beautiful location at a meeting point of the rivers Stour and Blackwater, close to a waterside village of immense charm.

There are a couple of legends surrounding St. Osyth, one is that she was the wife of a 7th-century East Anglican King who was beheaded by the Danes in AD 653, the other is that it was Osyth herself who was martyred. It is said that as abbess of the Priory, she was captured by the Danes, taken to a nearby wood and when she refused to worship their gods, they cut off her head.

The Priory has an illustrious history, the estate was purchased from Edward VI by Sir Thomas Darcy in the same year that he was created Lord Darcy of Chich. On his death the estate passed to his son who entertained Queen Elizabeth I. At a later date, the Priory passed into the hands of the Savage family, but they chose not to live there. Half way through the 18th century the Earl of Rochford began to live there, he made notable alterations, particularly to the landscape of the surrounding park in which he planted trees brought back from Lombardy, France.

When he went to inspect the camp at Colchester, George III stayed at The Priory as guest of the fourth earl. He must have enjoyed his visit for he later presented the earl with two exquisite paintings of himself and Queen Charlotte in their coronation robes. Other Royalty and members of the aristocracy visited.

Dappled by the fading summer sun, and set amidst stunning parkland, it is easy to see what a glorious building this must have been. The magnificent Tower gateway has rich tracery, niches and is covered in ornaments. The three ancient towers, rise up dwarfing other parts of the buildings to form a landmark seen from the sea. These beautifully preserved romantic ruins posses a aura of magic, and no matter which of the legends concerning St.Osyth you choose to believe, they remain unequalled in their splendour,
and are well worth seeing.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

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Recommended towns near St. Osyth Priory

St Osyth, in the county of Essex (0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
The village is noted for its medieval Priory, a Grade I listed building which started life as a foundation for Augustinian Canons around 1127, it later became an abbey which was eventually dissolved in 1539.
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Brightlingsea, in the county of Essex (2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction NW)
A medieval port on the Colne estuary, Brightlingsea was once an associate member of the Cinque Ports. The history of the town goes back to Roman times and it's industry has always been linked to the sea.
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Jaywick, in the county of Essex (2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction SE)
Much of Jaywick was built during the early part of the 20th century when Mr. Frank Stedman, a business man, bought the existing marshland to turn into a holiday resort.
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Clacton-on-Sea, in the county of Essex (3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction E)
Clacton-on-Sea is a fine Victorian resort that offers visitors and enjoyable and jolly time.
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Fingringhoe, in the county of Essex (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NW)
Delightful Fingringhoe is home to one of the most outstanding Nature Reserves in the country. It was formed out of a disused gravel pit near the estuary of the beautiful River Colne and today it is the premier flagship of the Essex Wildlife Trust.
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West Mersea, in the county of Essex (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction W)
The beach is crammed full of colourful beach huts and has fine views across the mouth of the River Blackwater to Bradwell-on-Sea. The beach is safe for bathing, windsurfing is popular and there is a small jetty for boats.
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Frinton-on-Sea, in the county of Essex (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction E)
Frinton, is a sedate area which retains a refined atmosphere and many gracious Victorian properties from when the then small seaside village was developed as a resort in the 1860's by Sir Richard Cooker.
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Greenstead, in the county of Essex (8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction NW)
Greenstead Church is said to be the oldest wooden building in the world. Well worth a visit..
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Walton on the Naze, in the county of Essex (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction NE)
This is a seaside resort that is a real treat for every member of the family. It is a traditional resort that simply caters for those whose wish is to have a jolly good time.
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Mistley, in the county of Essex (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction N)
Mistley lies on the south bank of the River Stour not far from Manningtree, to which it is joined via a tree-lined walk along the river which is oddly called The Walls.
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Nearby travel help

Great Bentley Station	(3.6 miles, 5.7 km, direction N)
Clacton Station	(3.6 miles, 5.9 km, direction E)
M2 Junction 7	(35.1 miles, 56.5 km, direction S)
M2 Junction 6	(35.6 miles, 57.3 km, direction S)
London Stansted Airport	(35.9 miles, 57.7 km, direction W)
Cambridge Airport	(47.3 miles, 76.1 km, direction NW)
St. Osyth Priory to London	(55.3 miles, 88.9 km, direction SW)

Accommodation & Hotels near St. Osyth Priory

Hotel Name
The Chudleigh	(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction E)
Barton Hotel	(3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction E)
The Geisha Hotel & Restaurant	(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction E)
Esplanade Hotel	(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction E)
Wivenhoe House Hotel	(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NW)
Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction NW)
The Red Lion Hotel	(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction NW)
George Hotel	(9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction NW)
Riverside Hotel	(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction NW)
Ramada Colchester	(10.0 miles, 16.2 km, direction NW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts