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Summary

Remains of the priory church consisting of parts of the walls of the nave, choir and Lady Chapel. It was originally built soon after 1220 with the Lady Chapel and also a west tower being added c.1330.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1009304: Frithelstock Priory
• Listed Building (I) 1326508: RUINS OF PRIORY CHURCH

Other References/Statuses

• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SS41NE9

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CHURCH (Built, Medieval - 1066 AD (Between) to 1539 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1978, SS41NE9, Photos (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV18672.

Site visit 27th November 1978. The visible remains of the Priory consist of parts of the walls of the nave, choir and Lady Chapel. The west front remains almost to gable height of about 8 metres with three good lancet windows. The north wall of the nave is up to 5 metres high and the south wall up to 1.3 metres high. The foundations of the tower are 0.5 metres high and those of the Lady Chapel from 0.3 metres to 1 metre high.

Weddell, P. J., 1986, Devon Religious Houses Survey: Frithelstock Priory (Report - Survey). SDV18682.

The surviving remains of the church are in fairly good condition

Ordnance Survey, 2025, Mastermap 2025 (Cartographic). SDV366286.

Ruined building shown.

Historic England, 2025, National Heritage List for England 2025, 1326508 (National Heritage List for England). SDV366287.

Ruins of priory church, in Early English style, date from soon after 1220; Lady Chapel built c. 1330 for Bishop Walter de Stapledon; west tower also of c. 1330. Walls of coursed slatestone rubble. Plan consisted of Lady Chapel to east of chancel and nave, the latter with foundations of a tower to its south west corner (adjoining Church of St. Mary and St. Gregory (q.v).) Foundations of Lady Chapel has stone altar projection to east, and priest's door to south west with roll-and-tongue stop to chamfered jambs. Similar jamb to north side of doorway to chancel. North wall of chancel has, from east, blocked pointed-arched opening, pointed-arched window opening, and pointed- arched doorway with roll-and-tongue stops to chamfered jambs and hollow-chamfered imposts. North wall of nave, which has mortice slots for roof of former cloister, has segmental arch over blocked doorway with roll-and-tongue stops to chamfered jambs; plain string course and lower sections of clerestorey windows above; at west end of this wall is a tall lancet window between two blocked doorways. Remains of arches and doorways survive at west end of north side. Wall of nave, where it entered a tower; two doorways have roll-and-tongue stops to chamfered jambs. West gable end of nave has three graduated lancets, trefoiled to centre; mid C13 pointed-arched hollow-moulded doorway below central window, has C17 frame and studded door. Inner side of north chancel wall has recess. Moulded stonework for tracery etc lies about site. History: The priory was first colonized from Hartland Abbey, and its ruins are the most notable surviving remains of a religious house in north Devon.
Date first listed: 4th October 1960

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV2416 - Devon Religious Houses Survey

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