Binham Priory

Binham Priory was founded around 1091 by Peter des Valoines, a nephew of William the Conqueror, and its Benedictine community lived here for more than 400 years amid almost continuous scandal; one prior, William de Somerton, sold the priory's valuables to pay for his alchemy experiments. After the suppression of 1539 most buildings were pulled down, but the nave survived as Binham's parish church, with its 13th-century west front, tiers of Norman arches and a rood screen whose medieval saints were painted over with Protestant texts. Beyond it, the extensive ruins show the size of the monastery. Reviewers single out the information boards and labelled rooms, and the self-service dairy shop beside the car park. The site is run by Binham Parochial Church Council for English Heritage. The small car park is reached through the narrow priory gatehouse, and The Parlour cafe sits beside it. Dogs on leads are welcome in the ruins, but only assistance dogs inside the church.