Norton Priory

A community of Augustinian canons was founded in 1115 at Runcorn by William fitz Nigel, second Baron of Halton, on the south bank of the Mersey at the Runcorn Gap — the only practical crossing between Warrington and Birkenhead. Archaeologists have suggested the canons cared for travellers and pilgrims making that crossing, and that their founder may have had an eye on the tolls. In 1134 the priory was moved east to Norton; the reasons are uncertain, though a wish for seclusion, or for tighter control of the river crossing, have both been proposed. Nothing of the Runcorn site survives.

Norton grew into one of the largest houses in the Augustinian order, rising from around thirteen men to some twenty-six by the late twelfth century. The church was lengthened, a bell tower and guest quarters added, and a large chapel built at the east end. A fire in 1236 destroyed the timber kitchen and damaged the west range and the church roof. The fourteenth century brought financial mismanagement, disputes with the Dutton family and a severe flood in 1331, but under Prior Richard Wyche the house recovered, and in 1391 it was raised to the rare status of a mitred abbey — one of only seven in England and Wales.

After Wyche's death in 1400 the decline was steady. Frequent floods cut the income; by 1429 the church and other abbey buildings were described as ruinous; advowsons were sold; the canons fell to nine by 1496 and seven by 1524. In 1522 there were reports of disputes between the abbot and the prior, with serious accusations on both sides, and the prior threatened the abbot with a knife before leaving. The abbey closed in 1536. Excavation began in 1971 and uncovered a Norman doorway, a finely carved arcade, the largest medieval mosaic tile floor found in any modern excavation, the kiln that fired the tiles, the bell casting pit, and a large medieval statue of Saint Christopher.

Norton Priory is run by an independent charitable trust and sits in a forty-two acre site of garden and woodland near Runcorn. The excavated ruins are a scheduled ancient monument and Grade I listed, and the museum — much enlarged and reopened in August 2016 — displays finds from the excavations, including the Norman doorway, the mosaic tile floor and the medieval statue of Saint Christopher. The separate walled garden, redesigned and opened to the public in 1984, is well worth the walk. There is a continuing programme of events, exhibitions and courses.

Organised public ghost hunts are held at the venue, so if you want to see the ruins after dark, book onto one rather than going looking on your own: these are protected archaeological remains in open woodland. Come for the museum first and walk the church and chapel foundations in daylight.