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Pictures of Malmesbury Abbeya Abbey in the town of Malmesbury, in the county of Wiltshire
About Malmesbury Abbey
One of the most spectacular parts of the church is the porch, this is medieval and is outstanding for its carvings of the Apostles. Historically, the abbey was closed at Henry VIII's Dissolution of 1539. It was later purchased together with all its lands by wealthy merchant William Stumpe. William was a generous man, he gave the abbey back to the town to be continuously used as the parish church. Storms of 1500 caused considerable destruction to the church, it lost its tower and spire, over two thirds of the nave and most of the transept. Further damage was caused in 1550, when the western tower collapsed causing the loss of three of the western bays of the nave. Thus, the church we see today is only half of the original building. Further damage was inflicted during the English Civil War when the abbey was the scene of a massacre. Bullet marks left from this time can still be found in the walls of the building. One of the most interesting legends concerning the abbey is that of 1020 when a monk named Oliver made an early attempt at man powered flight from the tower of the abbey, wearing a pair of man-made wings. Despite being crippled by the fall, Oliver lived for over half a century. He is believed to have foretold the Norman invasion after seeing Halley's Comet. Today, the town continues to be dominated by the abbey remains which show some of the finest surviving Norman work in the south of England. The abbey is also noted as the first English church to possess a church organ. Malmesbury Abbey, sitting within a beautiful churchyard scattered with the graves of centuries, makes an interesting and inspiring visit for everyone. Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Malmesbury Abbey. Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Malmesbury Abbey and uploading your pictures. Please leave a review of this attraction. Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner Recommended attractions near Malmesbury Abbey
All attractions in Wiltshire Complete A to Z of attractions in England Recommended towns near Malmesbury AbbeyMalmesbury, a Historic Market Town in the county of Wiltshire (0.2 miles, 0.4 km) Crudwell, in the county of Wiltshire (3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction NE) Ewen, in the county of Gloucestershire (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction NE) Castle Combe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Wiltshire (8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction SW) Chippenham, in the county of Wiltshire (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction S) Nailsworth, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction NW) Eastcombe, in the county of Gloucestershire (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction N) Wotton under Edge, in the county of Gloucestershire (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction W) Cirencester, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction NE) Cricklade, a Historic Market Town in the county of Wiltshire (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction E) Complete A to Z of towns in England Nearby travel help
Accommodation & Hotels near Malmesbury Abbey
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