£3 million grant to restore a Gloucester medieval priory

An medieval priory in Gloucestershire, described as a historical gem, has been awarded a grant of more than £3 million pounds for major renovation work.

Llanthony Secunda Priory is a former Augustinian priory in Hempsted which was founded in 1135. It's entertained royalty and is even thought to have seen an incident which became the inspiration for the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme.

The site includes a barn, gatehouse, stables, some very early monastic brick walls and a medieval range attached to a Victorian farmhouse.

The money from the Heritage Lottery Fund will bring three of the major buildings brought back into use.

The following buildings are to be restored and used by Gloucestershire College and the Llanthony Secunda Priory Trust.

• the Medieval Range

• the Victorian farmhouse

• the Brick Range

It's hope the site will be able to engage and involve people living in the local community, with outdoor events planned as well as activities for College students.

The Trust says the money is a "major stepping stone towards restoring Llanthony to its rightful place in the history of Gloucester"

The MP for Gloucester, Richard Graham, also welcomed the news, saying it will be beneficial for the rest of the city.

“The news that Llanthony Secunda Priory Trust has been awarded £3.2m to restore the remaining buildings reflects an imaginative bid that will see the history of the site brought back to life, and for Gloucestershire College to use the buildings for today’s students, while enhancing the green spaces for visitors – especially to the Gloucester Quays as well as future residents in Bakers Quay.”