Visit to Michelham Priory House and Gardens

Our fourth visit this year will be to Michelham Priory, where we can explore 800 years of history in this magnificent Tudor mansion, set on a picturesque moated island, complete with medieval gatehouse, watermill and more.

Founded by Augustinian canons in 1229, the site is steeped in history. During Tudor times the site suffered destruction caused by the dissolution of the monasteries, and in World War Two it was home to evacuees and the Canadian army.

Leaving Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall at 8.30am we aim to arrive between 10.00 and 10.30. On arrival, refreshments at members’ cost will be available at the on-site Blue Door Café.

At 11.00 we shall have a one-hour guided tour of the House and remains of the Priory. There are fascinating displays of furniture and artefacts, set in rooms reflecting different periods of Michelham Priory’s rich history. These include an historic kitchen and the World War Two  evacuees’ bedroom.

After the House Tour there will be time to buy lunch at the Blue Door Café, serving local produce with fruit, vegetables, herbs and honey, all cultivated on site.

We shall reassemble at 2.00pm for a guided Garden Tour, including the kitchen, physic and medieval herb gardens. There are seven acres of beautiful grounds and buildings to explore including the Elizabethan Great Barn and medieval gatehouse, all surrounded by England’s largest medieval water-filled moat.

We shall leave Michelham Priory at 4.00pm.

Leave APMH at 08.30

Refreshments on arrival (at own cost)

Guided House Tour at 11.00                                               

Time to explore and have lunch (at own cost)

Guided Garden Tour at 2.00pm

Depart Michelham Priory at 4.00pm

Cost £50pp   

Image: Michelham Priory by Dave Windsor. CC BY SA2.0 licence