Titchfield Abbey, Fareham, Hampshire

Although an impressive ruin, this castellated, fortified manor house bears very little resemblance to the Premonstratensian monastery that was founded here in 1232. Notwithstanding its fairly uneventful history, Titchfield Abbey was seen as an important centre, in view of its short distance from Winchester, and its close proximity to the sea at that time.

At the Dissolution in 1537, the site was given to Thomas Wriothesley (who later became the 1st Earl of Southampton), and within five years Titchfield Abbey had been converted to a huge Tudor mansion called Place House. However, during the late 18th century, much of the material from Titchfield Abbey was quarried away for the restoration of Cams Hall in Fareham.

It is almost impossible to identify any of the abbey remains, as the majority of the buildings are no more than a trace of ground level foundations, and the nave of the old abbey church became the Tudor gatehouse. Upon much closer investigation, fragments of monastic staircases in the turrets at the west end of the nave are visible, a wall of the eastern range around the cloister, and the entrance to the chapter house. Apart from these few distinguishable features, the only other medieval work appears to be the areas of floor tiles, which have survived remarkably well.

Now in the hands of English Heritage, this almost forgotten site, set back from the road and practically overshadowed by a sprawling garden centre, is not the easiest to find or access. The imposing iron gates were firmly closed when we arrived and this led us to believe that Titchfield Abbey was no longer open to the public. After a little investigative work, we did manage to locate the keys in the custody of the pub opposite - where there is also a leaflet available describing the brief history of the site, produced by the The Titchfield Abbey Association.