Ulverscroft Priory Ruins and Priory Farmhouse and Outbuildings, Priory Lane, Ulverscroft (Grade I)

Ruins of church of C13 and later together with house and outbuildings of C13 and later. Granite and slate rubble stone with some red brick walling and dressings and Swithland slate and corrugated roofs. Parts of the Priory buildings and the Prior?s lodging are now the farmhouse and many of the medieval portions are incorporated in later farm buildings or are other Priory buildings used as farm buildings. The house forms part of one side of a quadrangle on the S side of the church ruins. The quadrangle is largely of farm buildings some being lean-to against the S wall of the church, those on the W side being converted from monastic buildings. The ruins of the church consist of C14 W tower of three stages with ashlar quoins, 4 bell openings and remains of two clasping buttresses. Large W window frame. There are low fragmentary remains of the N side of the nave, N aisle and chancel with fragments of medieval tiles in the NE of the chancel. Part remains of the C13 nave S wall with the lower courses of the clerestory windows and S door. Two partly blocked C14 chancel windows remain with carved quatrefoils in blank frieze on jambs and fragments of tracery. There are the remains also of the Sedilia and Piscina niches. To S of tower a range of two barns, the first of two bays with single purlin roof and central truss, the second, the C13 guest house of four bays with double purlin roof, one truss with arched braces to collar, others with tie beams, and some curved wind braces. Blocked window frame with hoodmould and label stops to rear. Close studding in N end gable. To S of this barn the walling of C15 refectory with two window frames and fragments of tracery. To E of this a gateway, buttress and then the house enclosing the C13 and C15 parlour with Prior?s lodging over. The front of this faces S: large gable to left projecting forwards with C19 gable of brick with Swithland slate roof. Various ridge, side and end stacks. Three storeys of three windows. 2 light casement with cambered lintels on 2nd floor. On 1st floor a blocked 2 light stone mullion window either side a similar 3 light window with cusped heads and brick lintel. Below a doorway to left with cambered lintel, wooden frame and door. In the centre a 4 light mullion window with cusped heads and heavy central jamb. To extreme left and right a buttress with set offs. On gables return a part stone, part brick projecting stack in angle. In section to right a 2nd floor 3 light casement and ground floor blocked door. Extending from right end a lower wing, probably C18, with right end of roof hipped and central ridge stack. Two storeys of two 2 light casements with 3 light and 2 light to ground floor. Cambered lintels. On right end a C20 glazed door and window in single frame with 2 light over. Chamfered beams inside. The rear facing the quadrangle has mainly C19 2 and 3 light casements and doors with a stone pointed arch window on centre right 1st floor. Inside on ground floor the former parlour with moulded ceiling beams, and C15 stone fireplace with Tudor arch and carved spandrels. Remains of close studding, blocked doorways. To NE of house a one storey outbuilding of rubble stone with brick dressings and corrugated roof. Door and three bull?s eye windows. Similar range of outbuildings leans onto S wall of church. This priory of the Augustinian Order was founded in the reign of Henry II by Robert, Earl of Leicester. It became a house of Austin Canons in reign of Edward II and provided an important lodging post for travellers. Dissolved in 1539. ?This most conspicuous monastic ruin in Leicestershire (Pevsner) is set in a valley of meadows, and the remains extensive and impressive. Scheduled ancient monument.