Leez Priory

Leez Priory is a Grade I listed building comprising the remaining portions of a great house of two quadrangles, built by the first Lord Rich shortly after 1336. The site marks the location of an Augustinian priory, founded in the early 13th century, which was dissolved and razed to the ground. Lord Rich's house was constructed partly on the foundations of the priory, with monastic material being largely reused in the construction of the inner quadrangle. Much of the house was demolished in 1753. Excavation has uncovered both the monastic and later foundations. The foundations of the church are particularly evident through the bases of the piers of the crossing tower, which lie exposed in the present gardens east of the Inner Gatehouse. The monastic foundations lie to the east of the present buildings.

The surviving structures from Lord Rich's house comprise the Inner Gatehouse, the Outer Gatehouse, and part of the south and west sides of the outer quadrangle, now forming the present dwelling house. The building is constructed in red brick with some blue brick diapering and stone dressings, with tiled roofs.

The Inner Gatehouse stands on the west side of the inner quadrangle, which contained the main living quarters. The Outer Gatehouse is positioned at right angles to the axis of the Inner Gatehouse on the south side of the outer quadrangle. It stands at the west end of the south side and features a simpler design with two storeys and an octagonal turret at each angle. The towers and turrets have embattled parapets. The outer turrets are panelled with trefoiled corbelling similar to that of the Inner Gatehouse. Between the turrets is a room with a square-headed three-light mullioned and transomed window with original double doors, panelled and nail-studded. The inner archway contains original double doors from the Inner Gatehouse with traceried heads, now partly glazed.

The South Range of the Outer Quadrangle extends to the east and west of the Outer Gatehouse and has been considerably restored, particularly on the west side in 1913. It is two storeys with an embattled parapet on the south side. There are numerous square-headed mullioned and transomed windows, some original. On the east side of the Outer Gatehouse the range has at each end an external original chimney stack with twin shafts set diagonally. The north, or inner, side of this range is simpler without battlementation, and most of the two-light windows are original. The interior has been considerably restored and altered. On the west side the dining room features linenfold panelling said to have been taken from the gatehouse, exposed ceiling beams, and walls of exposed brickwork.

The West Range of the Outer Quadrangle has been considerably altered in its interior. The gabled cross wing which now terminates the north end of the range was originally the central feature. It is two storeys. On the east face are the remains of a large archway and traces of an opening in the west face. There are numerous original windows, some blocked and others restored.

Two barns at Leez Priory Farm, a fishing hut, and the walls to the kitchen garden (outside the boundary) form a group with the listed building.