Miles Collins

Celebrating one of Lincolnshire’s finest sights….

Thornton Abbey is a very large jewel in Lincolnshire’s crown. I can’t ever remember visiting it before but my parents might well correct me. If I did visit it as a boy then it is fitting that I would return years later with my older brother on his birthday. What inspired my brother to suggest a trip out to Thornton Abbey I am not sure but it was certainly one of his better ideas and we would later leave feeling mild embarrassment that we had not visited sooner.

I defy anyone not to be impressed by the imposing gatehouse, to fully appreciate the beauty of the Abbey’s grounds you have to understand the area in which it stands. Driving here from a coastal town you pass by fishing ports, food factories and refineries with their great chimneys bellowing out burning fuel as far as the eye can see. A motorway cuts into the North Lincolnshire countryside before a quiet country road edged by fields of corn takes you to the sight of one of England’s finest religeous sites.

The abbey boasts the largest monastic gatehouse in England, built in the 1360’s it was fortified twenty years later following the peasants revolt of 1381. It was at this time that the abbot, Sir Thomas de Grethem was accused of black witchcraft and encassed alive in a secret brick chamber. Following the discovery of his remains by builders centuries later he is now said to haunt the grounds looking for his lost love for whom he ultimately died.

The gatehouse is remarkable. Long, winding staircases lead up to narrow corridors, dark and eiree but for the light from the firing positions of the longbow archers protecting the abbey’s wealth. The corridors open up to larger rooms with magnificent figures carved in stone staring down from the high ceilings, pointing the way to more stairs and twisting paths steeped in history and intrigue.

The grounds of the abbey make a wonderful backdrop from the gatehouse windows, the remains of the stunning chapter house stand proud, surrounded by fields and ancient trees. The chapter house was built as part of the reorganisation of the abbey, begining in 1261 it was built in stages until its completion in 1308 with the laying of the pavement inscribed with latin script which can still be seen today. The chapter house was a stunning architectural creation, a place where the canons would sit against the walls under the great windows discussing matters of local interest and religeon with the resident abbot.

As we stood and took in the beauty of the place we questioned the legacy our generation would leave for future ones. In front of us stood the remains of architectural brilliance, of English heritage at its finest and most proud. Behind us stood the billowing chimmneys of the industrial bank spewing out their toxins into an atmosphere we have damaged beyond repair. If this is to be our lasting legacy then we should be truly ashamed. By the side of the abbey stands a modern outbuilding with its bright white UPVC windows. Soulless efficiency replacing beauty and cultural magnificence….

Thanks to my brother for a great idea and a great day. Happy Birthday Bro.

You can find more pictures/photographs of my trip to Thornton Abbey at the Gallery.