Stoneleigh Abbey

Stoneleigh Abbey was built on a land grant from King Henry II. With humble beginnings as a Cistercian monastic house in 1154, Stoneleigh Abbey was converted at the Dissolution into a comfortable family home. One of the seats of the Leigh family, Stoneleigh has played host to several people of note, including King Charles I, Queen Victoria, and novelist Jane Austen.

The fine Grade 1 listed English Mansion House is comprised of two halves; the first, made of red sandstone, is a fine example of a Jacobean house, built from the ruins of the monastery. The second, the West Wing, was designed by famous architect Francis Smith of Warwick in the Baroque style.

The older portion of the house, built from local red sandstone, was started in 1561 and successive generations added to the design. The newest part of the house was completed around 1720 and was designed by Francis Smith of Warwick.

The Abbey Grounds were designed by Humphry Repton, the most respected landscape gardener of his time. In 1809 he was invited to Stoneleigh Abbey by Reverend Thomas Leigh to advise him on updating the Abbey landscape. Repton created one of his ‘Red Books’, a collection of watercolour images of the house and grounds as they existed with overlays to suggest alterations to the estate. While not all of his suggestions were implemented, the result is a stunning natural landscape with superb views. Enjoy the new Cordelia Leigh Bridge and walks along the Gazebo island, our Victorian Pump House has been restored.

Please note -Stoneleigh Abbey is closed during January and February.

The Explorer Pass allows entry to the Abbey Grounds only.