We’re enjoying our second year of English Heritage membership. Membership for two adults, with L free, is £31 in Tesco Clubcard Vouchers. So it is next to no money. L loves castles, English Heritage have a lot. It’s free days out for a year.
I’m trying to write about all the properties we visit using our membership. What I liked, didn’t like, share some pictures. We more than made our money back on the membership last year and this, so I am very happy it is good value for money.
Croxden Abbey – Staffordshire
We visited Croxden Abbey during our weekend away for the JCB Factory Tour we had won earlier in the year at the East Anglian Game & Country Fair. We had visited Bolsover Castle the day before and chose to visit Croxden Abbey as it is only a few minutes away from the JCB Worldwide Headquarters, so it made sense to spend a bit of time nearby.
Facilities
There is space to park maybe two cars at the site, in a layby by the entrance. A bin for litter and some information boards.
This is a small, free to visit site, there are no facilities so it worth noting that before you visit.
Do not let it stop you visiting though as it is gorgeous.
The Abbey
The Abbey is split in two sections, thanks to a road.
There is actually quite a lot left to see, plenty of ruins still standing and lots of information boards and pictures showing you how the Abbey would have looked and showing it in the context of the modern buildings and roads around it.
There is plenty of space to run and explore, so if you are just looking at somewhere pretty to burn off some energy with the kids, this isn’t far of the main route to Alton Towers and a pleasant, quiet contrast to the traffic and the chaos.
We were lucky with the weather, it was sunny and dry. Freezing cold, but that didn’t matter.
It was nice just to have a little walk round the site and take it all in. We loved the little things that were pointed out to us by the information boards, the legs from the tables the monks would have sat at, how the modern cuts through the old, it all added to the history and made our visit very enjoyable.
There is a sense you are somewhere very special and to say I am jealous of the occupants of the farmhouse that is built practically onto it is an understatement.
Opening Times & Prices
The abbey is open 10am to 5pm April to October and 10am to 4pm November to March.
| WITHOUT GIFT AID | WITH GIFT AID | |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Free | Free |
| Adult | Free | Free |
| Child (5-17 yrs) | Free | Free |
For full details of times and prices please visit the Bolsover Castle, these are only a snapshot.
Overall
We loved our visit to Croxden Abbey. We spent maybe 20 minutes to half an hour there. Took beautiful photos and learnt about a little bit of history.
There were plenty of information boards and a lovely covered display, despite the fact it is free.
It is these small, free to visit, bit beautifully cared for properties that I love English Heritage for.
It may not have been a long visit but I’m so glad we visited and if you are in the area I would say it is definitely worth a look.