Marrick Priory

Marrick Priory stands in a quiet dale in North Yorkshire, beside the village of Marrick. A Benedictine nunnery was founded here between 1140 and 1160 by Roger de Aske. The priory once controlled the parish church and 400 acres of land across the dale. For centuries it survived raids by Scottish raiders, yet in the 16th century the house fell to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. On 15 September 1539 the prioress Christabel Cowper surrendered the site to commissioners John Uvedale and Leonard Bekwith. After the surrender the nuns were pensioned off and the priory was leased to Sir John Uvedale. Ownership passed through several families until the church remained in use as the local place of worship until 1948. In 1970 the building was restored and turned into an outdoor education centre for young people. Each year thousands take part in activities such as rock climbing, kayaking and orienteering on the surrounding land. The church itself is built of stone with a slate roof and a tall west tower. Inside, the nave survives largely intact while the chancel is ruined. A round window on the south wall contains a quatrefoil, and most windows follow Perpendicular style. To the north-east a flagged path called the Nuns’ Steps leads through Steps Wood to the village of Marrick. The path may once have linked the priory to the Richmond road or to its lead-mining interests.