Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, Cheshire

Norton Priory is a historic site comprising the remains of an abbey complex dating from the 12th to 16th centuries, and an 18th-century country house; it is now a museum.

The priory was established as an Augustinian foundation in the 12th century, and was raised to the status of an abbey in 1391. The abbey was closed in 1536. Nine years later the land was purchased by Sir Richard Brooke, who built a Tudor house on the site, incorporating part of the abbey. This was replaced in the 18th century by a Georgian house. The Brooke family left the house in 1921, and it was partially demolished in 1928. In 1966 the site was given in trust for the use of the general public.

Subsequent excavation of the site revealed the foundations and lower parts of the walls of the monastery buildings and the abbey church. Important finds included: a Norman doorway; a finely carved arcade, a floor of mosaic tiles, the remains of the kiln where the tiles were fired, a bell pit used for casting the bell, and a large medieval statue of Saint Christopher.

The site is now open to the public and includes a museum, the excavated ruins, and the surrounding garden and woodland. In 1984 the separate walled garden was redesigned and opened to the public.

Norton Priory Museum & Gardens is a great family day out, with the award winning museum, excavated medieval ruins, the spectacular St Christopher statue, the lovely Walled Garden and the extensive woodland and sculpture trail.

Opening Times

1 April to 31 October
Museum 10am-5pm Daily
Walled Garden 12-4pm Daily

1 November to 31 March
Museum 12-4pm Daily
Walled Garden Closed

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Ticket Prices

Adult £20.00
Concession £14.00
Family £48.00
Group £50.00

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Disabled Facilities

Wheelchair access is available to most areas of the Museum site, the main exception being a viewing gallery reached by spiral stairs but replacement information is available at Reception.
There is a free wheelchair loan service from Reception.
Accessible toilets are available at the musuem.
There is an introductory video in the museum which has an induction loop and an induction loop is fitted at the main Reception.
A large print version of the events leaflet and site guides are available on request.
Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere on site.
Free car parking, including dedicated blue badge holder spaces.

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More Information

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