The Real Benefactor of Netley Abbey: A 200-Year-Old Historical Mystery Solved
For over two centuries, visitors to Netley Abbey have been told that Richard Fox, the powerful Bishop of Winchester, was a benefactor to the monastery.…
Latest Articles
Explore our collection of articles on the history, architecture, and legends of Netley Abbey.
The Ghosts of Netley Abbey
Blind Peter, the Curse of Walter Taylor, and the Haunted Ruins of Hampshire There are places where the veil between worlds grows thin. Where the…
Netley Castle
From Tudor Fortress to Victorian Mansion: The Remarkable Transformation of a Hampshire Landmark Perched on a wooded hillock overlooking Southampton Water, Netley Castle occupies one…
Visiting Netley Abbey: Your Complete Guide to Hampshire’s Hidden Gem
Looking for things to do near Southampton? Netley Abbey offers one of the most atmospheric historical experiences in Hampshire—and it’s completely free to visit. Getting…
The Netley Abbey Tunnel: Medieval Engineering, Not Secret Passages
If you’ve explored the grounds at Netley Abbey, you might have heard whispers about “secret tunnels” beneath the ruins. And yes, there is a tunnel…
The History of Netley Abbey
On 25 July 1239, a small group of Cistercian monks crossed Southampton Water from Beaulieu Abbey and set foot on the wooded slopes above the…
The Taylor Family: From Abbey Demolition to Naval Revolution
The death of Walter Taylor at Netley Abbey in 1704 is the most documented supernatural tale associated with the ruins. But behind the ghost story…
Understanding Cistercian Architecture: A Guide to Monastic Terms
The Cistercian order brought a distinctive architectural language to medieval England. Their monasteries followed a standardised layout refined over centuries, with each building serving a…