Denny Abbey and the Farmland Museum

LOOKING FOR: Heritage, Historical
ADDRESS: Ely Road, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, CB25 9PQ
POSTCODE: CB25 9PQ
AGE GROUP: All Ages
TELEPHONE: 860988
MOBILE: 01223 860489
WEBSITE: CLICK HERE
Denny Abbey and the Farmland Museum
 Denny Abbey has a unique and fascinating history, having been occupied at various times by three different monastic orders. Founded in 1159 as a Benedictine monastery, in 1170 it was taken over by the Knights Templars and used as a home for aged and infirm members of the order. After the Templars’ suppression for alleged heresy in 1308, it became a convent of Franciscan nuns known as the Poor Clares. Following the dissolution of the nunnery in 1539 by Henry VIII, it became a farm and was in use until the late 1960s.

All these changes are still traceable in the building and are interpreted for visitors by graphic panels illustrated by local artist Anne Biggs.

Family-friendly activities include imaginative hands-on interactives about medieval tiles and arches.

The neighbouring Farmland Museum features a fenman’s hut, blacksmith’s and wheelwright’s workshops, village shop display and many other aspects of Cambridgeshire rural life (a separate charge applies, including for English Heritage members). The Farmland Museum hosts a range of events, children's activity days and adult art and craft workshops. Visit Farmland Museum events to find out more.

Managed by The Farmland Museum.

Check opening times and prices.
Don't Miss

    tracing the different phases of use of the site from the fascinating jumble of building styles seen which is like an architectural jigsaw puzzle of windows, blocked doorways and arches
    exploring the remains of a 12th century Benedictine abbey
    viewing the medieval tiled floor in the nuns' great refectory
    extending your visit to the area by going to nearby Isleham Priory Church




Opening Times

    1 April - 29 October 2017
    Monday    12:00 - 17:00
    Tuesday    12:00 - 17:00
    Wednesday    12:00 - 17:00
    Thursday    12:00 - 17:00
    Friday    12:00 - 17:00
    Saturday    10:30 - 17:00
    Sunday    10:30 - 17:00
    Notes

    Tea room for the musemn vistors (weekends and bank holdays 10.30am - 4pm and Wed-Thur during school holidays 12pm-4pm)

    Holiday opening times for this period
    Good Friday
    14 Apr 2017    Closed
    Easter Sunday
    16 Apr 2017    10:30 - 17:00
    Easter Monday
    17 Apr 2017    10:30 - 17:00
    Early May Bank Holiday
    1 May 2017    10:30 - 17:00
    Spring Bank Holiday
    29 May 2017    10:30 - 17:00
    Summer Bank Holiday
    28 Aug 2017    10:30 - 17:00

    30 October 2017 - 29 March 2018

30 March 2018 onwards

Opening times will be available nearer the time