Cymer Abbey

Of the original complex only the ruins of the church survive, the conventual buildings being recognisable only through foundations. The remaining elements of this are of rubble with buff-coloured and red sandstone dressings and are transitional/ early English towards the E and Decorated Gothic at the W end. The church has a long continuous nave and chancel with a straight E end. Here, three tall lancets pierce the gable with wide inner splays. The taller central one has cable moulding and plain, engaged, cushion-type capitals; moulded lozenge decoration to that at R (corresponding L lost). Plain flanking lancets with similar capitals with moulded necking. Moulded, arched recess to the chancel S wall with, to the R a wide, segmental-arched tombrecess. W of this the sedilia, one arch (to L) of which remains; this is cable moulded and is supported on a compound pier with transitional capital and base. To the R a similar engaged capital and shaft. Beyond this to the W the cloister entrance; heavily-moulded jambs and round-arched head. The cloister-facingside has 2 arches, one inside the other; continuous cable moulding. There is no triforium, though the splayed bases of four clerestorey windows survive to the S wall. On the N side of the chancel, a pointed-arched, moulded and labelled tomb recess. The 3 western-most bays of the nave are arcaded to the N and lead to a ruined N aisle; octagonal piers on plain, chamfered bases with simple moulded capitals. Chamfered, pointed arches with similar inner arches; at the western-most springing a weathered head-corbel. Above the arcade is evidence for 2 further clerestorey windows. The rubble base of a chest tomb survives near the second arch. Lancet base to E end of N aisle and a similar opening to W; other, demolition-related openings and breaks. At the S side of the E wall is a small square aumbrey witha rebate for a door. The ground floor of the C14 W tower survives with 3 arched lights; wide internal splays with segmental heads. In the SW corner, the remains of a newel stair with evidence for a corner buttress here externally.

Scheduled Ancient Monument ME 001.