Newark Priory

Today a ruined priory located in a meadow adjacent to Newark Lane, in the village of Pyrford in Surrey. It is on private land so it is not possible to get up close, but pictures can be taken across the fields, from the lane.

Ruined Augustinian building, founded in 12th Century by Ruald de Calva and wife, Beatrice de Saudes for Augustian canons. The Priory's name changed over the years to Newstead and then finally Newark. It was dissolved during the period of the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII. The prior itself was pensioned off and it's valuables sent to the Tower of London, the land was given to the Master of the Kings Horse. The last known prior of Newark Priory was Richard Lipscombe, appointed just before the surrender of the house in 1538. It then fell into ruin.

Taken December 2007 Colin Smith

Nearby is the River Wey Navigation which connects Godalming and Guildford to Weybridge on Thames. There is a 20 mile tow path which is flat and at Pyrford there is Newark Lock, next to the Anchor Pub. The Wey Navigation is owned by the National Trust and they provide various car parks along it at different points and this may be the car park shown on the maps near the Priory. You may be able to get photos from the tow path, although from the aerial maps there are trees in the way, but they do seem to have breaks in them, however you may need a good telephoto zoom to get the distance. See this link on the walkthisway.co.uk website to find details of a walk and a picture of the Priory taken from the towpath.

Location: Newark Priory, Pyrford, Surrey Grid Reference: TQ041576 Ceremonial County: Surrey Map Link: StreetMap  Aerial photo: Google Aerial Photo Getting there: Coming out of the village on the B367 the Priory is on your left, just past over the river there is a car park on the right hand side. From A3 take the B2215 to Ripley and then left onto the B367 (Newark Lane), the priory is on the right after the car park. Access: On private land so no close up access possible, however there is a public footpath and a towpath nearby so may be able to get shots from here as well as the road side. Website: Other Useful Websites: Wiki   British History Online    River Wey Navigations Pyrford History Email: Address: Postcode: Telephone: Opening Times: Any reasonable daylight time Charges: None Nearby Locations: Other Location Pages: Abbey Section Notes:

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