St Nicholas Priory

Work to stabilize the Priory wall, English Heritage & Exmoor National Park, 2003

Photo: Exmoor National Park
Permission pending

Image: Ann Le Bas, The Barlynch Door, Winscombe Church
Southwest Designers at Dunster
Used by permission

The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Winsford, was under the care of St. Nicholas Priory in the 12th century which supplied monks to be the vicars; the ironwork is believed to have been made by a monk, the wood has likely been replaced at some time.

Barlynch, near Dulverton, Somerset England UK

[Roman Catholic]

The Augustinian Priory of Black Canons was founded during Henry II's reign (1154-89. The small struggling house never had more than 9 canons, and sometimes only three. Described 'in some ruin and decay' in 1535, it was disolved in the Disolution of 1536. Much of the monastic fabric was distributed to local churches and the doors of St Mary Magdalene, Winsford, and St James the Great, Winscombe, are believed to be from St Nicholas Priory. Some of the monastic stonework can be seen incorporated into the farm buildings. In 1969 the League Against Cruel Sports purchased the estate and Working for Wildlife now manages reserves from the site.