Norton Priory Museum & Gardens

One of Cheshire's undiscovered beauties is Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, which is located on the outskirts of Runcorn. This is the most explored monastery site in all of Europe and was formerly the site of a medieval church.

Visitors can visit the priory remains, which depict the layout of the medieval structures, and the undercroft from the 12th century, which has a lovely vaulted ceiling. Founded in 1134, Norton Priory became a mitered abbey in 1391. The Dutton family and the Brooke family are two significant families with connections to the website. Up until the Dissolution in 1536, the Dutton family actively participated in and sponsored Norton Priory as a monastic center. Between 1545 and 1921, the Brooke family lived in Norton Priory before relocating to a new residence in Worcestershire.

Numerous thousand artifacts found on the property are on exhibit at the museum, which chronicles the 900 year history of the area, from priory to mansion house, as well as the lives of those who lived here. The St. Christopher statue is the museum's most stunning item. This statue was probably commissioned to commemorate the location becoming an abbey in 1391. More recently, the monument is shown in the 1954 children's classic "The Children of Green Knowe" by Lucy M. Boston.

Location: Tudor Rd, Windmill Hill, Runcorn WA7 1SX, England