This Cistercian monastery was founded in 1131 as part of a missionary effort to reform Christianity in western Europe. A founding community of 12 grew into one of medieval England’s wealthiest with over 140 monks and 5-600 laymen living on its 15 acres. Dissolved in 1538 by Henry VIII, remains of less than half the original buildings are left. They include the evocative abbey church, unusually built on a south east-north west axis due to the sloping site, and the stunning monk’s refectory with its lancet windows and arcading.