Waverley Abbey
 Abbeys |
Situated about three miles south of Farnham, Waverley Abbey was founded in 1128 by the Bishop of Winchester from the Cistercian Order as its first English Abbey. Although an important abbey of the time, being part of six daughter-houses across England , Waverly is but a ruin now. Nevertheless, what remains of its buildings, together with its beautiful setting in a meadow along the River Wey, continues to impress visitors. With very little of the church remaining, it is difficult to recognize the ground plan.
Probably the most noteworthy part of the abbey that remains is the undercroft of the lay brothers refectory. A section of 13th century vaulting still exists that is supported by slender columns with circular capitals. The south gabled end stands almost to full height and it displays two pairs of lancet windows at the lowest level, with a single traceried window above each pair, and a central round window between them.
Waverley continued to grow until late into the 14th century providing shelter for pilgrims and an infirmary. However, the Abbey, together with all other similar institutions in England , was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1536 as part of his campaign during the Reformation against the monasteries. Afterwards the Abbey became a convenient source of local building material. Today the ruins provide a peaceful and picturesque place for reflection and relaxation.