Kirkham Priory

The ruins of Kirkham Priory are situated on the banks of the River Derwent, at Kirkham, North Yorkshire, England. The Augustinian priory was founded in the 1120s by Walter l'Espec, lord of nearby Helmsley, who also built Rievaulx Abbey. The priory was surrendered in 8 December 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Legend has it that Kirkham was founded in remembrance of l'Espec's only son who had died nearby as a consequence of his horse being startled by a boar. The area was later used to test the D-Day landing vehicles, and was visited by Winston Churchill. The ruins are now Grade I listed and a scheduled monument in the care of English Heritage.

Kirkham Priory
LocationKirkham, North Yorkshire
Nearest cityYork
Coordinates54°04′58″N 0°52′36″W
Built12th century
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameKirkham Priory
Designated11 February 1987
Reference no.1149116
Scheduled monument
Official nameKirkham Priory Augustinian monastery: monastic precinct, three fishponds, and precinct boundary
Designated9 October 1981
Reference no.1014024
Location of Kirkham Priory in North Yorkshire
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