history

1154:

Abbey founded. Henry II granted lands to a small community of Cistercian monks. Foundation stone of the Abbey laid during the following year.

1346:

Abbey Gatehouse built by 16th Abbot, Robert de Hockele.

1535:

Last Abbot surrendered estate to the Crown at the dissolution of the monasteries. Estate subsequently granted (in 1538) to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk.

1561:

William Cavendish sold the estate to a city merchant, Sir Roland Hill jointly with Sir Thomas Leigh. The present Lord Leigh is a direct descendant of Sir Thomas Leigh.

1571:

Sir Thomas Leigh dies to be succeeded by his son, Thomas. Stoneleigh Abbey described as a “roofless ruin” in 1561. Substantial alterations to the mediaeval buildings carried out and much 17th century work survives.

1611:

Sir Thomas Leigh created a Baronet.

1642:

Sir Thomas Leigh, grandson of the 2nd Thomas, entertained Charles I when the gates of Coventry were shut against him.

1710:

Edward, 3rd Lord Leigh, married the “immensely wealthy” heiress of Holbeach of Fillongley.

1711:

Edward, 3rd Lord Leigh, took the Grand Tour and returned eager to plan a new and spectacular extension.

1720:

Works of alteration commenced by Francis Smith of Warwick resulted in the Great West Wing, considered to be the masterpiece by this famous and prolific architect.

1726:

West Wing completed.

!744:

Chapel ceiling plaster work by John Wright, Robert Moore’s master.

1749:

5th (and last) Lord Leigh of first creation inherited.

1809:

Humphry Repton set out proposals for the park in the Red Book. Repton’s scheme not fully implemented although considerable alterations to the course of the River Avon carried out to create a lake to the south of the house with an island. Considerable tree planting also undertaken.

1814:

The classical bridge built by John Rennie.

1814:

Cast iron bridge over the leat built.

1819:

The stable block and riding school built by C.S.Smith (a pupil of Wyatville). A great masterpiece of gothic revival architecture.

1837:

The Long Corridor built to designs by C.S.Smith with stained glass by Willement.

1858:

Visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

1960:

Disastrous fire in the West Wing destroyed much of the attic story, approximately one quarter of the principal bedroom floor and caused extensive damage in the Gilt Hall. Subsequent water damage from burst tanks and fireman’s hoses caused additional and unavoidable damage.

Recent History

1994:

April - English Heritage upgrade listing status of park from Grade II to Grade II*.

1996:

In December 1996 the ownership of Stoneleigh Abbey passed to a charitable trust who, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and the European Regional Development Fund, have in partnership with Warwick District Council repaired and restored the buildings of the Abbey. The four year repair and restoration programme was overseen by project coordinator Shahab Seyfollahi. The masonry work required over 225 cubic metres (450 tonnes) of newly quarried stone for the facade of the West Wing alone.

2000:

Open in part to the public to view the final works to complete the project.

2001:

Stoneleigh Abbey fully open to the public.

2003:

Visit by HRH The Prince of Wales.

2010:

In partnership with Natural England, work begins on restoring the Reptonian landscape.