Site of monastery, Great Parndon Abbey, Spring Hills (EHER 3586)

Site of the Premonstratensian Abbey of Great Parndon, founded by 1172 by Robert Mantell, moved to Beeleigh (EHER 7760) in 1180. There are no visible remains at the traditional site, which is now occupied by buildings of the Harlow Newton Golf Club.

Site of monastery. <1> NRHE data transfer: [TL 4331 1038] Site of Monastery [GT] [TL 4330 1035] Well [GT] [TL 4323 1027] Gateway [GT]. <2> Late 17th century gateway (EHER 31645) and 17th century brick barn at Great Canons, some garden walls are of the same date. Foundation mounds east of the house are said to mark the site of the Pre-Premonstratensian Abbey before its removal to Beeleigh by Maldon, see EHER 7766. Premonstratensian Abbey founded in 1172 and transferred to Beeleigh in 1180. <3> <4> June 1962. Field survey. The group of buildings which comprised the former farm of Canons is being converted into a club house etc. for the Harlow Newton Golf Club; in the process the barn (see EHER 31644) has been gutted and windows and doors inserted. As much of the original fabric as possible is being retained. GP AO/62/69/3 - view from W. The two large brick pillars of the 17th century gateway (see EHER 3165) remain in good condition - GP AO/62/69/4 - from NW and GP AO/62/69/8 - from SE, but the well is concreted over. The garden walls are in poor condition and will not survive the alterations. Nothing remains of the foundation mounds noted by RCHM beyond a strong scarping of the slope of uncertain identity published on the Ordnance Survey 2-inch map of 1920. However, recent excavations for garage foundations within a few metres of the Abbey siting symbol, revealed just below the ground surface a brick wall some 3 feet wide. (a) Descriptions of the brick suggest a 16th or 17th century date. No record of any finds connected with the Abbey are kept by the Harlow Development corporation. <5> <6> See also <7> <8>.