Ulverscroft Priory Ruins And Priory Farmhouse And Outbuildings

Ulverscroft Priory Ruins and Priory Farmhouse and Outbuildings

This complex comprises the ruins of a church dating from the 13th century and later, together with a house and outbuildings also of 13th-century and later date. The structures are built of granite and slate rubble stone with some red brick walling and dressings, with roofs of Swithland slate and corrugated iron. Parts of the original priory buildings and the Prior's lodging have been incorporated into the farmhouse, and many medieval portions survive within later farm buildings that have adapted earlier priory structures.

The house forms one side of a quadrangle on the south side of the church ruins. The quadrangle is largely composed of farm buildings, some constructed as lean-to structures against the south wall of the church. Those on the west side have been converted from monastic buildings.

The church ruins consist of a 14th-century west tower of three stages with ashlar quoins, four bell openings and the remains of two clasping buttresses. A large west window frame survives. The north side shows low fragmentary remains of the nave, north aisle and chancel, with fragments of medieval tiles in the north-east of the chancel. Part of the 13th-century nave south wall remains with the lower courses of the clerestory windows and south door. Two partly blocked 14th-century chancel windows remain, featuring carved quatrefoils in blank frieze on the jambs and fragments of tracery. The remains of the sedilia and piscina niches also survive.

South of the tower stands a range of two barns. The first is of two bays with a single purlin roof and central truss. The second, formerly the 13th-century guest house, is of four bays with a double purlin roof: one truss has arched braces to collar, others have tie beams, and some feature curved wind braces. A blocked window frame with hood mould and label stops survives to the rear. Close studding is visible in the north end gable.

South of this barn are the walls of a 15th-century refectory with two window frames and fragments of tracery. To the east stands a gateway and buttress, beyond which lies the house. This encloses a 13th- and 15th-century parlour with Prior's lodging above.

The south-facing front of the house has a large gable to the left projecting forward, with a 19th-century gable of brick with Swithland slate roof. Various ridge, side and end stacks are present. The building rises three storeys and contains three windows. The second floor has 2-light casements with cambered lintels. The first floor features a blocked 2-light stone mullion window on either side of a similar 3-light window with cusped heads and brick lintel. Below is a doorway to the left with cambered lintel, wooden frame and door. At the centre stands a 4-light mullion window with cusped heads and heavy central jamb. At the extreme left and right are buttresses with set-offs. On the gable returns, a stone and brick projecting stack sits in the angle. To the right, a section features a second floor 3-light casement and a ground floor blocked door.

Extending from the right end is a lower wing, probably 18th-century, with a hipped right end of roof and central ridge stack. It has two storeys with 2-light casements: 3-light and 2-light windows to the ground floor, all with cambered lintels. The right end features a 20th-century glazed door and window in a single frame with 2-light above. Chamfered beams are visible inside.

The rear elevation, facing the quadrangle, has mainly 19th-century 2- and 3-light casements and doors, with a stone pointed arch window on the centre right first floor. The ground floor interior preserves the former parlour with moulded ceiling beams and a 15th-century stone fireplace with Tudor arch and carved spandrels. Remains of close studding and blocked doorways are evident.

North-east of the house stands a single-storey outbuilding of rubble stone with brick dressings and corrugated roof, featuring a door and three bull's-eye windows. A similar range of outbuildings leans against the south wall of the church.

This priory belonged to the Augustinian Order and was founded in the reign of Henry II by Robert, Earl of Leicester. It became a house of Austin Canons in the reign of Edward II and provided an important lodging post for travellers. The priory was dissolved in 1539. Described by Pevsner as "this most conspicuous monastic ruin in Leicestershire", it is set in a valley of meadows with extensive and impressive remains. It is a scheduled ancient monument.