Name: Blackfriars
Rating: 5.0

Blackfriars

Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Blackfriars is one of the most complete surviving friaries of Dominican ‘black friars’ in England, which was later converted into a Tudor house and cloth factory. Notable medieval features include the church and the magnificent 13th-century timber roof over the friars’ library.

Blackfriars Priory sits in the heart of Gloucester city centre, and there are plenty of places nearby that illustrate the rich history of the city, including the impressive cathedral and the Gloucester City Museum.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

The Dominican friary of Gloucester Blackfriars is one of the best-preserved urban monasteries in England. Founded in about 1239, it was mostly built over the next 30 years. At its peak it was home to between 30 and 40 friars, who performed the traditional daily cycle of church services and masses, and also went out into the town to preach. After Gloucester Blackfriars was closed in 1538 during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, a wealthy Gloucester merchant bought the site and converted it into a mansion and factory.
Highlights include the church, with its original fine oak roof, and the library, which retains the friars’ individual study cubicles – a unique survival.
The medieval friary: Henry III (r.1216–72) gave the friars part of the site of the Norman castle of Gloucester, which had been vacant since the building of a new castle in the 12th century. Between 1241 and 1265 the king made many donations of money and oaks for timber to the first prior, William of Abingdon, to build his new church and cloister. He is reported to have reprimanded the prior: Brother William, there was a time when you could speak of spiritual things; now all you can say is “Give, give, give”.
William’s persistent fundraising paid off, however, for in 1284 the Bishop of Worcester consecrated the completed church. Henry III’s son Edward I (r.1272–1307) granted more oaks in 1290 for further work on the cloister, and in the 1350s and 1360s the church was enlarged with transepts (side arms) and a central tower.

Facilities

Parking: There is a charged car park next to Blackfriars (not EH).
Food & Drinks: Gloucester has plenty of shops, facilities and places to eat and drink.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/blackfriars/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

The priory is open Sundays only from April- October. 10am - 3pm.

Address: Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1, UK

Post Code: GL1 2HS

Council: Gloucester

County: Gloucestershire

Road Access: In Blackfriars Lane, off Ladybellegate St, off Southgate St, Gloucester.
Bus Access: Short walk from Gloucester Bus Station.
Train Access: Gloucester 1⁄2 mile.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is a charged car park next to Blackfriars (not EH).