Mediaeval Remains at Worksop Priory

The remains of the cloisters at Worksop Priory

Although the earliest parts of the church of Our Lady & St. Cuthbert - in Worksop - date back to c.1140, which can be seen in a section of the cloister wall, the north aisle and the west front, the structure is dominated by the work of the Victorian architect, Richard Nicholson, and various other church architects from the 20th century.

The main west door

The finely decorated Norman arches catch the eye most and, when looking closely at them, it is obvious that many of the details have been restored over the years; however, together with the surrounding well squared and coursed masonry, the Permian dolomitic limestone used is still in generally good condition.

A detail of the west door to the north tower

Looking up at the west front, there is an obvious change in the masonry between the lowest stage and those above it - marked by their relative degree of cleanliness – and when looking at an 18th century print of the priory, it is clear that there have been substantial alterations and that the old nave possessed architectural features of a distinctly Gothic style.

Variations in stonework to the west front

Without a copy of Sir Nikolaus Pevsner's guide to Nottinghamshire or other similar publications at hand – apart from the description by English Heritage to help me with my investigations - I just made a few observations of the principal architectural features and the various building stones used in its structural elements, when exploring the rest of the mediaeval church.

A detail of an arch in the north aisle

The south entrance porch stands out from the rest of the stonework on this elevation, for the style of its parapets and buttresses – compared to the rebuilt nave behind it - and also because the limestone here is much more grey in colour, as I have noticed in many other mediaeval churches in nearby South Yorkshire.

The south porch - given a 13th century date by English Heritage