Holme Cultram Abbey

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Holme Cultram Abbey in Abbeytown

Holme Cultram Abbey

Where is it – England, North West England

Who looks after it –  Church authorities 

What is it –  Abbey-Monastery, Church, Free access, Royal connection 

When is it from – Medieval

Holme Cultram Abbey, more properly St Mary’s Abbey at Holm Cultram, was founded as a daughter house of the Cistercian Melrose Abbey in 1150. At that time, this part of England was under the control of the King of Scotland, a position that was reversed in 1157.  Holme Cultram became wealthy, primarily from wool and salt, but was always at the risk of raids from Scotland.  Particularly devastating raids were made in 1216 and in 1319 (or 1322). The latter was carried out by Robert the Bruce – despite the fact that his father was buried in the abbey.  In 1307, the ‘Hammer of the Scots’, Edward I, spent his last night at Holme Cultram, dying the following day near Burgh-by-Sands.

The abbey was dissolved in 1538, but the church was allowed to continue as a parish church – partly because it was the parishioners’ only refuge from marauding Scots.  Since 1557, the Right of Presentation to the Living of Holme Cultram has rested with the University of Oxford.

The abbey buildings decayed and materials from them were reused throughout the locality.  The current church is a fraction of the size of the original abbey church – it is actually only two-thirds the size of the original nave.  Most of the monastic buildings have long-since disappeared.  In 2006, arson resulted in a devastating fire that destroyed much of the remaining church, as well as the medieval abbey’s records.  The building has been rebuilt and is now a peaceful, light, place of worship and a fascinating place to visit.

 


Address
Friars' Garth, Abbeytown, Cumbria CA7 4SG 

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