William Wordsworth once stayed with his patron Sir George Beaumont at nearby Coleorton Hall where he wrote:

“Beneath yon eastern ridge, the craggy bound,
Rugged and high, of Charnwood’s forest ground,
Stand yet, but, Stranger, hidden from thy view
The ivied ruins of forlorn Grace Dieu,
Erst a religious House, which day and night
With hymns resounded and the chanted rite.”

SO, why not spend a relaxing couple of hours strolling through the woods to the Priory ruins – it’s FREE admission!

In addition to guided walks, available by arrangement throughout the year, the Priory hosts a number of events such as:

·       National Forest Walking Festival - usually in May

·       Festival of Archaeology - usually in July. Why not have a go yourself!

·       Geo-phys surveys

·       Hello Heritage - usually in September

·       Carols in the Cloisters in early December. Refreshments available.

For more information on these and other events please see our website www.gracedieupriory.org.uk and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gracedieupriory

Visitors to the Priory can park for free at the Bull's Head, Thringstone, LE67 8LR with kind permission of the management. If you're not sure how to get to the Priory, brown tourist signs direct you off the A512 Loughborough to Ashby road. Please park at the top end of the car park, furthest away from the pub and follow the path in the corner through the woods, under the viaduct to the ruins.  A route map can be found here: https://www.gracedieupriory.org.uk/pagewalks&talks.htm