Pictures of Leiston Abbey

a Abbey in the town of Leiston, in the county of Suffolk

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About Leiston Abbey

These are the evocative remains of an abbey founded when the order of the land was God first, followed by King and country. The abbey was founded close to Minsmere in 1182 for an order of 26 canons of the Premonstratension order by Ranulph de Granville. It was later moved inland owing to the location being continually flooded, this was achieved by a papal license of 1365, allowing the order to move to Leiston which is some 4 miles inland.

The abbey was closed during the Reformation of the 16th century, it was passed to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk in 1537.

The site of the abbey ruins is extremely picturesque, allowing for a backward glimpse of what these once great monastic buildings must have looked like when it was a flourishing order with a grand church. These ruins look startlingly beautiful in moonlight and if you happen to be exploring the site at the time of a setting sun, you can almost imagine the monks in brown habits, with bare feet, returning from their labours in the fields.

Leiston is a charming village lying close to the east coast, between Aldeburgh and Dunwich.

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Recommended attractions near Leiston Abbey

	Minsmere Nature Reserve (2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction NE) Minsmere Nature Reserve offers a unique opportunity to enjoy an abundance of Mother Nature's rich bounties. It encompasses a..... Information | Pictures (6) | Hotels
	Westleton Heath Nature Reserve (3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction N) Westleton Heath NNR is part of the best remaining tract of heathland in Suffolk. In mediaeval times a large area of heath known..... Information | Hotels
	The Moot Hall Museum (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction S) .. Information | Pictures (1) | Hotels
	Orford Ness Nature Reserve (9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction S) Visitors to this lovely town wishing to see the Nature Reserve have to catch a ferry from Orford Quay. The reserve is the..... Information | Pictures (9) | Hotels
	Orford Castle (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction S) Orford Castle stands guard over the coast from a high vantage position above the River Alde. It was built by Henry II in the..... Information | Pictures (5) | Hotels

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Recommended towns & villages near Leiston Abbey

	Thorpeness (3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction SE) Thorpeness's quaint village sign gives the visitor some hint of the surprises to come, it depicts the House in the Clouds and Windmill, for which the village is most noted... Information | Pictures (18) | Hotels
	Aldeburgh (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S) Aldeburgh is a seaside retreat with boundless charm. The history of the resort quite possibly reaches back to Saxon times, certainly during the Middle Ages it was a prosperous port and later it became known as a fishing centre... Information | Pictures (84) | Hotels
	Snape (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction SW) Snape is not simply unique for its beautiful location at the head of the River Alde, it is also unique as a village with an international reputation for music... Information | Pictures (7) | Hotels
	Southwold (8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction NE) The beach here is of sand and shingle, it is safe for swimming except around the harbour entrance. The restored pier is a great attraction with an amusement arcade at the shore end... Information | Pictures (102) | Hotels
	Beccles (16.3 miles, 26.3 km, direction N) A town of picturesque buildings, with many relaxing places in which to quietly roam... Information | Pictures (20) | Hotels

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Nearby travel help

Saxmundham Station	(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction W)
Darsham Station	(4.3 miles, 7.0 km, direction NW)
Norwich Airport	(33.5 miles, 53.8 km, direction NW)
Cambridge Airport	(59.5 miles, 95.8 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 9	(60.3 miles, 97.1 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 10	(61.6 miles, 99.2 km, direction W)
Leiston Abbey to London	(88.1 miles, 141.7 km, direction SW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Leiston Abbey

Hotel Name
The Westleton Crown	(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction N)
The Thorpeness Hotel	(3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction SE)
The White Lion Hotel	(4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction S)
The Brudenell	(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction S)
The Swan Hotel	(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction NE)
The Crown Hotel	(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction W)
Best Western Ufford Park Hotel	(12.3 miles, 19.9 km, direction SW)
The Bull Hotel & Restaurant	(14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction SW)
Kings Head Hotel	(16.2 miles, 26.0 km, direction N)
Waveney House Hotel	(16.3 miles, 26.2 km, direction N)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts