Netley Abbey

The most complete surviving Cistercian monastery in southern England, with almost all the walls of its 13th-century church still standing, along with many monastic buildings. After the Dissolution, the buildings were converted into the mansion house of Sir William Paulet. Situated in Royal Victoria Country Park, even in ruins, the abbey continued to be influential, inspiring Romantic writers and poets.

The ruins reflect over 800 years of change, during which the abbey was transformed from a monastic house to a mansion house, and later to a romantic ruin. Many writers, painters and poets have flocked to the site, drawing inspiration from the overgrown and romantic ruin. John Constable came to paint here, and writers such as Thomas Gray enthused about the abbey. It is reported that Jane Austen visited Netley, finding inspiration for her novel Northanger Abbey (published 1817).

In the 1840s, the abbey became a popular place for local people to come for tea, dancing and music. Some visitors complained that the romantic atmosphere was ruined by ‘the popping of ginger beer’.

Later, changing attitudes led the owner to clear the vegetation and debris from the ruins. All traces of the later Tudor alterations were removed, and the abbey ruins were returned to their ‘pristine elegance’.