The scale of Lewes Priory is perhaps comparable to that of Ely Cathedral - the main church was 128 metres long, the vaulting rose 28 metres above the floor and 32 metres at the point of the tower crossing. Out of all the churches in south-eastern England, only Winchester Cathedral was larger.
One valuable source of income was a factory that produced glazed floor tiles with surviving examples from it displayed today in the British Museum.
Demolition of the priory, one of the largest in England in both size and terms of staffing, began almost as soon as the church was disestablished in 1537 although substantial remains survived until the 1840s when the railway line to Lewes was built straight them destroying most of the surviving church.
Today the only remains are a number of buildings attached to the Priory rather than the church itself including, most notably the old toilet block which was capable of hosting all 50 plus monks at once.
Companies
If your company has been involved with the Design/Build, Supply or Maintenance of this building please submit your details.
