One place a remember going to regularly as a child was to Priory Park in Southend-on-Sea. As the name suggests, this is home to Prittlewell Priory, which is a remarkable Grade I listed medieval site, with origins dating back to around 1100 AD when it was founded by Cluniac monks from Lewes, Sussex, as a small dependency housing no more than eighteen brethren. Despite its modest size, archaeological records note a formal foundation between 1086 and 1121, possibly under the patronage of Robert, son of Sweyn, with generous endowments from Henry of Essex. The priory functioned until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536. Much of the complex was destroyed, yet key structures survived, particularly the refectory, prior’s chamber, cellar, and a fine 12th-century chevron-decorated doorway.
Following dissolution, King Henry VIII granted the property to Thomas Audley, Lord Chancellor, who subsequently sold it to Robert Rich, thereby initiating its transformation into a private residence. The priory passed through various owners until it came into the Scratton family in the 17th century, who undertook extensive Victorian renovations including adding a walled kitchen garden, built over the former monastic burial ground. The site has been home to a number of historical events through the years. A dramatic episode occurred in the early 14th century amid internal conflict: Prior William le Auvergnat refused to step down and barricaded himself in the priory until monks from Lewes stormed the building in 1321. According to chroniclers, William was fatally wounded, allegedly struck at the altar during the altercation. This is one of the many tales from the long history of Prittlewell Priory that is chronicled throughout for visitors to learn about.
By 1917, local jeweller and philanthropist Robert Arthur Jones purchased the site, donating both the priory and surrounding 22 acres to Southend as public assets. The priory became Southend’s first museum in May 1922, whereas the grounds were opened as Priory Park in July 1920 by the Duke of York (later King George VI). Major restoration took place in 2011–2012. A £2 million project, partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, restored medieval features and rebuilt the refectory, and a new visitor centre was added in 2013, greatly enhancing visitor experience. Today’s visitor can explore the medieval refectory, prior’s quarters, Norman doorway, and Tudor elements, including 15th-century roof beams and a fine Tudor font carved with roses and pomegranates. If you’re as tall as I am, you may want to watch your head in some places. The prior’s chamber even preserves Jacobean altar rails and original lead coffin lids.
Inside the museum itself, the Victorian Scratton family’s legacy is well represented, with their parlour, family albums (“The Priory Times”) chronicling domestic life and wildlife, and a walled garden that echoes its original function. Prittlewell Priory also hosts special events such as an annual Anglo-Saxon weekend, celebrating the discovery of a nearby high-status 7th-century princely burial. Additions to the museum include exhibitions on these pre-Conquest finds. You’re probably starting to wonder now, why I am telling you all of this and what significance the Priory has on this blog. Some of my earliest memories of learning more about the local natural history, seeing taxidermy specimens up close and being excited about the potential to bumping into wild animals, stem from the priory. In one of the rooms upstairs, it has a number of displays that celebrate local natural history and the wildlife of Priory Park.
The natural history display (photographed above) offers visitors an engaging look at the local wildlife and ecosystems of the Southend area. The exhibit showcases a variety of preserved specimens, including birds, mammals, and insects native to Essex. The collection highlights the rich biodiversity of the region, with informative panels explaining habitats such as woodlands, wetlands, and garden environments – all of which can be found within Priory Park. Interactive elements and family-friendly activities make the exhibit accessible and enjoyable for all ages. If you follow the white paw prints at the bottom-right of the photo, you are taken into a badger’s den. Unfortunately, I am a tad too large to attempt this, but it is a nice touch for younger visitors.
There are additional displays on the other wildlife of the Priory, such as the bats and the section of an elm tree, which tells its own story based on the growth rings inside. I think it is important to educate children and members of the public on these often misunderstood species, as well as the ability of using dendrochronology to tell us more about our past. The wonderful thing is, Priory Park has a number of wild space where a wide variety of wildlife can be seen. If you do visit, make sure you spend as much time as you can near the fishing lakes or in the undergrowth trying to find and watch as many of these species as possible.
Overall, Prittlewell Priory offers a compelling journey through nearly a millennium of English history from monastic life and royal intrigues through to Victorian domesticity and modern-day community stewardship, set amidst tranquil parkland that continues to enchant visitors. If the weather is nice, you’ve also got Priory Park to keep you busy and enjoy a wonderful picnic. The best thing is, it is all completely free to visit!
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