Netley Abbey, Netley, Hampshire
Aerial view reconstruction drawing of the abbey from the north-west in 1540, after the Dissolution. The abbey was founded in 1231 by Peter des Roches, bishop of Winchester, and belonged to the Premonstratensian order. The abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1536. It was granted to Sir William Paulet, afterwards Marquis of Winchester. He converted the abbey buildings into a Tudor courtyard house with private gardens. Although Hearth Tax returns of 1665 show it to be amongst the largest houses in Hampshire, it was sold in 1676 and probably some time after this it fell into disrepair. Parts of the building were demolished for building materials from the early 18th century and the remaining ruins were later preserved as a romantic ruin or folly during the Romantic Movement in the 1860s. This site is now in the care of Wnglish Heritage (2011). Find out more.
