LISTED BUILDING · NHLE 1077618
Priory Building at the Old Rectory
Priory Building at the Old Rectory, Leominster
House, originally part of claustral range of Benedictine monastery. C13-C16 with C19 alterations. Sandstone rubble; Welsh slate roof; 2 large rubble buttress stacks with brick chimneys, to south front.
Dates and uses reflect the source records and may not describe the building today.
No photograph currently published
Designation information
Inclusion in the National Heritage List for England confirms that this is a designated heritage asset of national special architectural or historic interest.
People and businesses through time
HISTORICAL ADDRESS RECORD
Through time, Priory Building at the Old Rectory
1 of 3, 13th century-16th century
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About these records
Directory entries can describe a workplace or premises use rather than a residence.
13th century-16th century
ConstructionBuilding construction
Estimated date recorded by the current NHLE building entry.
SourceNational Heritage List for England, NHLE 1077618
Estimated construction date drawn from the NHLE list summary.
Architectural evidence and features
These descriptions relate to particular parts of the building at the date of each source. They may not reflect its use or condition today. Unconfirmed features remain open questions.
Evidence reviewed 13 September 2026.
Documented type / function
- Former Benedictine claustral range, subsequently gaol, mansion house and workhouse; house in NHLE
Principal identity with historical and subsidiary uses explicitly separated
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Historical chapel in eastern first-floor room, strong survey interpretation
Eastern upper room only; not active worship or entire range
Standing-building survey1979–80, published interpretation, historical fabric/use
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Old Priory: Recording of Standing Buildings and Excavations 1979–80, printed p 351, PDF page 46
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Documented phases
- 13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Source-specific phases, not administrative dates
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Survey dates stone rere-dorter late 12th century and infirmary range early 13th century
Western and central/eastern ranges distinguished
Standing-building survey1979–80, published interpretation, historical fabric/use
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Old Priory: Recording of Standing Buildings and Excavations 1979–80, printed p 351, PDF page 46
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
External wall material
- Sandstone rubble
Medieval range
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Brick
19th century additions and rear
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Roof covering
- Welsh slate
Principal
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Chimneys
- Rubble and brick
Buttress stacks with brick chimneys
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Other materials / details
- Ashlar stone
Cross-windows
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Timber
Simple window hoods
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Architectural features
- Lancets
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Pointed hood mouldings
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Cross-windows with cusped heads
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Buttresses
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Blocked openings
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Segmental-pointed arch over Pinsley Brook
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- West brick stream arch
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Blocked 13th century doorway reported
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Blocked Tudor fireplace reported
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Possible rere-dorter west
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Unverified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
This interpretation remains uncertain.
- Possible infirmary or priors lodging east
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Unverified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
This interpretation remains uncertain.
- Possible chapel in eastern projection
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Unverified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
This interpretation remains uncertain.
- Two-light mullion windows
Principal range, NHLE
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- 19th century upper casements and 20th century casements
NHLE principal range, separate from cross-window form
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1077618
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Historical context
- Probable first-floor infirmary hall in central range; prior lodging interpretation less likely in survey
Central range, balance of probabilities; ground-floor function speculative
Standing-building survey1979–80, published interpretation, historical fabric/use
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Old Priory: Recording of Standing Buildings and Excavations 1979–80, printed p 351, PDF page 46
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Research notes and uncertainties
Component, chronology and current verification: Precise monastic functions probable, not certain. House/gaol/workhouse historic uses differ. Current use unverified. Reported interiors not inspected NHLE. Current use/survival not independently verified for September2026.
13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; 13th century–16th century with later rebuilding and 19th century top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence] Survey dates stone rere-dorter late 12th century and infirmary range early 13th century [Western and central/eastern ranges distinguished; Standing-building survey1979–80, published interpretation, historical fabric/use] Source chronology, administrative and reused-material dates separated. Precise monastic functions probable, not certain. House/gaol/workhouse historic uses differ. Current use unverified. Reported interiors not inspected NHLE.
Explore records with these reviewed features. Results may concern only part of a listed group and retain their source-date qualifications.
How this record is evidenced
The designation, listing date and statutory description are drawn from Historic England, NHLE 1077618.
The building has been cross-referenced to the Royal Commission's 1934 Herefordshire inventory. The full matched extract and its cited illustrations are reproduced below with links to the digitised source.
The concise summary and searchable feature tags have been prepared by Leominster Heritage and are kept separate from the statutory wording.
The open questions below identify evidence that has not yet been securely established.
Map location
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Priory Building at the Old Rectory
Grade II · C13–C16 with later rebuilding and C19 top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; C13–C16 with later rebuilding and C19 top storey; RCHME1934 historical sequence] Survey dates stone rere-dorter late C12 and infirmary range early C13 [Western and central/eastern ranges distinguished; Standing-building survey1979–80, published interpretation, historical fabric/use] · SO 4959 LEOMINSTER 808-1/1/4 Priory Building at the Old Priory 24.7.54 II
House, originally part of claustral range of Benedictine monastery. C13-C16 with C19 alterations. Sandstone rubble; Welsh slate roof; 2 large rubble buttress stacks with brick chimneys, to south front.
Current survey photographs
No public survey photograph is currently linked to this place.
Contribute a photographDocumentary evidence
Historic England; RCHME: Herefordshire: 114-4 (2), PL
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
This earlier inventory records the building as it was understood at the time of survey. Its terminology and interpretation should be read alongside the current NHLE entry and present-day observation.
Read the Royal Commission inventory extract
RCHME CROSS-REFERENCE 1
Leominster, monument (2), pp. 114-115.
a (2). The Priory House (Plate 140), now part of the Workhouse, is now of three storeys but was formerly of two only. The original walls are of sandstone, and the modern alterations and additions of brick; the roofs are slate-covered. The range formerly projected E. from the N. end of the dorter-range of the priory and probably comprised the rere-dorter at the W. end and a block to the E., probably either the Infirmary or the Prior's Lodging. Under the whole building, from W. to E., runs a water duct or stream, called the Pinsley Brook. The eastern block was built in the 13th century and has a smaller block of the same date projecting to the E. and perhaps forming a chapel on the upper floor. The western block was evidently re-built after the suppression of the Priory, but no doubt stands on old foundations. The building was fitted up by Thomas Lord Coningsby (1692–1729) as a gaol, afterwards becoming in turn a mansion-house and a workhouse. In the 19th century the top storey was added and many alterations made.
The E. end (Plate 140) of the building has a segmental-pointed arch spanning the stream; above it are two 13th-century lancet-windows, and the upper floor has remains of a window of three grouped lancets, the head of which has been destroyed since Price's views were taken about 1795. The N. side of this block has three original lancet-windows, one on the lower and two on the upper floor. The N. side of the main block has on the lower floor two 13th-century windows, each of two lancet-lights; the head of the western window has been restored; further W. is a blocked doorway, of the same date and with a two-centred head. The upper floor has a restored lancet-window towards the E., and a window of two transomed and pointed lights towards the W; both have labels. The rest of the front has no ancient features. In the W. wall is a segmental brick arch over the stream. The S. side of the building is partly covered by modern additions; there are two restored, transomed windows similar to that in the N. wall. Inside the building, the supposed chapel has a blocked 13th-century doorway, with a pointed head, in the W. wall and S. of it an original window now opening into a modern addition. In the chapel-wing is a Tudor fireplace, now blocked.
Condition—Good.
Referenced illustrations
Official list description
Original NHLE location reference
SO 4959 LEOMINSTER 808-1/1/4 Priory Building at the Old Priory 24.7.54 II
SO 4959 LEOMINSTER 808-1/1/4 Priory Building at the Old Priory 24.7.54 II House, originally part of claustral range of Benedictine monastery. C13-C16 with C19 alterations. Sandstone rubble; Welsh slate roof; 2 large rubble buttress stacks with brick chimneys, to south front. 3 storeys; 4-window range: to left, single lancet; cross window; pointed heads with hood-moulds; to right, two C19 lights with upper casements; eight C19 lights. Two 2-light mullion windows, and part-blocked opening in stone arch; central C20 entrance; two C19 lights; buttresses. 2-storey wing to left; 3 lancet lights in stone reveals, and C19 2-light casement in altered opening; left returned side has various lights with blocked mullion window to gable; early C 19 brickwork to rear. South front: 2 moulded ashlar cross- windows with C19 glazing under cusped heads with hood-moulds, and simple timber hoods; three C20 casements. INTERIOR not inspected, but reported as containing a blocked Tudor fireplace in east end and a blocked C13 doorway in west wall, as well as an early window. (RCHME: Herefordshire: 114-4 (2), PL.140). (Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England), Inventory of Herefordshire III North West, 1934, Page(s) 114-115. Listing NGR: SO4988959344
Sources and further reading
Open questions
- What evidence can establish the sequence and date of the building’s principal alterations?
- Which materials and architectural features can be confirmed by a dated site survey?
- Can a current photograph be added to record the public elevations and visible historic fabric?
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