Shulbrede Priory, West Sussex

We read about Shulbrede Priory some time ago, and today was one of its two annual open days. Such a beautiful historic place.

It was founded in 1190 by Sir Ralphe de Arderne for the Order of St Augustine. There were 69 similar priories etc founded in Sussex after the Norman Conquest, and following the dissolution of the monasteries by dear old Hennery the eighth, today there are only 11 remains of these wonderful old buildings preserved above ground. Luckily a small part of the priory at Shulbrede still stands, carefully preserved by the Ponsonby family for the last 100 or so years. That’s 800 years of history, what a responsibility.

The first Lord Ponsonby was married to the daughter of Sir Hubert Parry, the composer. Shulbrede now houses his archive We were treated to a short piano recital on Parry’s own piano in the room in the old part of the building. Beautiful acoustics, Elizabethan wall paintings and a much needed roaring log fire (even on a warm day)

But in the side garden, this view of the mixture of additions to the house over the last few hundred years is what appealed to me.

Our family visitors have now gone home after some lovely adventures, and the house is remarkably quiet again.