Sclerder Abbey
SCLERDER ABBEY, SCLERDER LANE
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1140742
- Date first listed:
- 26-Mar-1986
- List Entry Name:
- Sclerder Abbey
- Statutory Address:
- SCLERDER ABBEY, SCLERDER LANE
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Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2000-08-06
- Reference:
- IOE01/02852/11
- Rights:
- © Mr Roger Norman. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1140742
- Date first listed:
- 26-Mar-1986
- List Entry Name:
- Sclerder Abbey
- Statutory Address 1:
- SCLERDER ABBEY, SCLERDER LANE
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- SCLERDER ABBEY, SCLERDER LANE
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Cornwall (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Polperro
- National Grid Reference:
- SX2215053055
Details
LANSALLOS SCLERDER LANE, (south side),
SW 25 SW
Polperro
4/197 Sclerder Abbey
-
II
Monastery for enclosed order of Carmelites, including walls to north front and east
and cemetery walls to east. Circa 1840s. Extended in the late C19, 1920s and in
1937. Stone rubble with slate roofs with gable ends. 1937 extension with front wall
of red brick.
Main range of overall H-shaped plan with refectory in central range, kitchens in
cross wing on left and sister's chapel in crosswing on right. Further public church
added in circa 1920s at right angles to private chapel with common chancel; gatehouse
added to front of cross wing on right possibly in late C19 or early C20; noviciate in
C18 cottage to front of left-hand cross wing, remodelled in C20, and large range
added to rear of left-hand wing in 1937.
Main range behind high stone wall; regular 4-window front with entrance in left-hand
angle. of central range. and cross wing. C19 fenestration with evidence of several
alterations in C20. Gabled half-dormers above and C20 extension to front on right.
3-storey gatehouse on road side to right with double gabled asymmetrical 2-window
front. Ground floor with two 3-light mullion windows flanking moulded 2-centred arch
with double plank door and ornate hinges. Further 1-light window to right and 2-
light window in C20 extension. First floor with two 4-light mullion windows and
second floor with two 1-light mullion window, all with hoodmoulds.
Interior with C19 pitch pine joinery and with carved stone fireplace in 1937 range
with relief depicting S. Francis of Assisi.
High stone rubble wall to front on north and continuing along east side of monastery.
Stone rubble walls to public cementry on east with series of semi-circular niches.
Originally a Fransican Monastery, followed by Poor Clares, and now an enclosed order
of Carmelites. It was associated with Sir Harry Trelawney who was a convert and
later a Catholic Bishop in Rome, and with his 2 daughters Letitia Trelawney and Mary
Harding.
During the 1840s the Franciscan monks living at Sclerder celebrated mass in the
chapel at Trelawne (qv) which was opened for public worship to Roman Catholics by Sir
Harry Trelawney. The chapel reverted to Anglican use when Sir Harry died. Letitia
Trelawney, Mary Harding and Lewis Harding (responsible for many early photographs of
Polperro and also Trelawne) are buried at Sclerder Abbey.
Lanyon, A The Rooks of Trelawne 1976
Grylls, R. Glynn Trelawne.
Listing NGR: SX2215053055
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 61558
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Lanyon, A, The Rocks of Trelawne, (1976)
Grylls, R G, Trelawne, ()
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 08-Jun-2026 at 21:18:22.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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