Seasonal FANFARE

It is hard to believe that the tranquil gardens surrounding Felley Priory in North Nottinghamshire are a mere half mile from the busy M1 motorway. Built on the site of an original hermitage chapel and 500ft above sea level, Felley Priory was established in 1156 before falling victim to Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536. Although much of the priory was destroyed, some parts were used to construct the house and garden a year later. Stone pillars at the ‘Jargonelle’, planted in 1555, still flourishes by the south-east wall of the house.