Standing close to Southampton Water, Netley is the most complete surviving abbey built by the Cistercian monks in southern England. Almost all the walls of its 13th century church still stand, together with many monastic buildings.
The buildings were converted into a fashionable Tudor house after the Suppression. Most traces of this house were removed in the 19th century, when Netley's ivy-clad remains, in their wooded setting, came to be celebrated as a perfect medieval ruin - and an inspiration for Romantic writers and poets.
ACCESSIBILITY
Parking: There is limited car parking at the site. Further parking can be found at the Abbey Hall Recreation Ground, a five-minute walk from the site.
Access: There are steps and uneven surfaces throughout the ruins, but wheelchair access is possible for most of the site.
Facilities: Toilets are available at Abbey Hall Recreation Ground, a five-minute walk from the abbey. There are shops and places to eat in Netley village.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.
HOW TO REACH
PARKING
Free on site parking is available for between 10 and 12 cars. Please note that although these often fill up quickly during the summer months. Off site parking can be found nearby (adjacent to Abbey Hall recreation ground). Visitors will need to cross a busy main road to reach the site entrance. There is space for one or two minibuses at the site, however these are not allocated and there is no guarantee of availability during high season.
ROAD ACCESS
In Netley; four miles south-east of Southampton, facing Southampton Water
SAT NAV
Postcode : SO31 5FB
Latitude : 50.876513
Longtitude : -1.357565
BUS ACCESS
First service 6
ADMISSION
Free Entry
ADDRESS:
Abbey Hill
SO31 5FB Netley
England
United Kingdom
EXHIBITIONS