Netley Abbey

Netley Abbey retains much of a 13th-century Cistercian church and its accompanying monastic buildings close to Southampton Water. After the monasteries were suppressed, the abbey became a Tudor house, before later alterations removed many domestic additions and presented it as a picturesque medieval ruin. Its wooded setting helped draw Romantic writers and poets, and the tall walls still frame a series of changing views as visitors explore. Reviewers repeatedly describe a peaceful place for photography, a picnic or an unhurried family visit. Dogs on leads are welcome, and English Heritage asks visitors to stay on the defined paths. There are steps and uneven surfaces, although much of the site can be reached by wheelchair. Parking is limited and the gates are locked when the abbey closes; toilets and refreshments are in the village.