Remains of Birkenhead Priory
REMAINS OF BIRKENHEAD PRIORY, PRIORY STREET
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1201757
- Date first listed:
- 29-Jul-1950
- List Entry Name:
- Remains of Birkenhead Priory
- Statutory Address:
- REMAINS OF BIRKENHEAD PRIORY, PRIORY STREET
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2006-05-12
- Reference:
- IOE01/12602/25
- Rights:
- © Dr Geoffrey Court. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1201757
- Date first listed:
- 29-Jul-1950
- List Entry Name:
- Remains of Birkenhead Priory
- Statutory Address 1:
- REMAINS OF BIRKENHEAD PRIORY, PRIORY STREET
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:
- REMAINS OF BIRKENHEAD PRIORY, PRIORY STREET
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Wirral (Metropolitan Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- SJ3280088568
Details
BIRKENHEAD
SJ3288NE PRIORY STREET
789-1/14/140 (East side)
29/07/50 Remains of Birkenhead Priory
GV I
Formerly known as: Old Priory Ruins ST MARY'S GATE.
Priory ruins. Built in several phases between 1150-1400. North
and west ranges around cloister which was to north of Priory
church now destroyed. North range comprises C14 refectory
building with vaulted undercroft. West range of c1250 with C14
remodelling comprises the guest hall and monks parlour. Church
to south, but all that remains above ground is the base of a
shaft and the scars of walling. Chapter house of c1150 (q.v.)
in eastern range, also archway formerly giving access to
destroyed infirmary and blocked arch to dormitory also
destroyed in wall adjacent to Chapter House. Refectory
building of coursed and squared rubble with buttressed west
wall and 2-light chamfered mullioned windows. Traces of 2
blocked arched openings towards the east. Arched entrance to
buttery on east elevation, and 2 square-headed windows above
in extensively restored upper wall. Inside, buttery and
undercroft have quadripartite rib vaulting, carried on
octagonal shafts and moulded corbels. Western range ruinous,
but substantial remains of walling survives. Against its east
wall, the scars of the priory church north wall, and of a
small structure north of this are clearly visible. Springing
for vaulting of cloister roof also visible, and doorway
through to monks parlour at the south end. West wall has deep
moulded doorway towards the north, and Decorated windows (a
C19 restoration). Small window with chamfered arched head, and
doorway towards the south, giving access to monks parlour,
with ball-flower frieze. 2-light foiled Decorated windows in
south wall at upper level, and small windows below. Inside,
the monks parlour with Prior's solar over comprised the
southern bay. Of this, remains of the cross wall dividing it
from the guest hall, and a passage through the east wall
linking the two survive. In the walls, remains of fireplaces
at both levels, and a door leading to former prior's stairs in
the upper south-east angle. The Priory was founded in 1150 by
Hamo de Massey as a Benedictine House. See also Ruins of
Church of St Mary, and Chapter House of Birkenhead Priory.
(The Buildings of England: Pevsner N and Hubbard E: Cheshire:
Harmondsworth: 1971-).
Listing NGR: SJ3280088568
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 389301
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Pevsner, N, Hubbard, E, The Buildings of England: Cheshire, (1971)
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 05-Jun-2026 at 14:30:40.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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