Revesby Abbey

I have been fascinated for many years by the Abbey when viewing it from the big iron gates at the main A155 so I decided one day to try and tack down the current owners and ask if I could cheekily ‘go and have a look’ at the grand old house.
My search for the current owners proved fruitful and threw up a name to which I also got an email address. I sent a polite email but after a week or so had gone by I gave up too much hope as I never got a reply. Just a few days after that, Bingo, I had contact from that person sitting in my inbox. I opened the email with some hesitation but to my delight I was invited to meet the owners at the Abbey at an amicable time and date. I couldn’t believe it, a grand building I had admired from far for so many years was now going to be viewed close up.
The BIG day arrived, my partner and I set off for the Abbey with instructions on how to access it. The weather was a bit damp and miserable but never mind. We found our way through the vast wooded area and there she stood, one amazing building.
We were met by the very friendly owners who were only too keen to show off their pride and joy home, but what a task they had in front of them. The elements had not been kind to the magnificent building nor the owners before them, leaving it sadly in some state of disrepair albeit restorable. The renovation work they had already carried out on the adjoining Brew house and stables though was just brilliant, bringing back the feel of what was once, and by all accounts what will be again a beautiful residence.
We were there for three and a half hours being shown around by the rightfully so, proud owners.
Our thanks go to Malcolm and Linda for giving up their time to show us around their amazing property and allowing us to take photographs, which I will not publish out of courtesy. We wish them all the success for the mammoth task that lies ahead of them.

Revesby Show used to be in the grounds of this place and I was always fascinated by the ruins of the beautiful house that stood here. It was the Home of Sir Jospeph Banks and close to the original Abbey. known as Revesby Abbey or Hall. I am hoping it is being saved for future generations.
Potted history:
The abbey of Revesby was founded in 1142 by William de Romara, lord of Bolingbroke, and son of Lucy countess of Chester by a former husband. William de Romara himself ended his days as a monk, and was buried in the house of his foundation. The first monks of Revesby were sent from Rievaulx by St. Ailred. The benefactions of the founder were confirmed and increased by his grandson and by Ranulf earl of Chester.
After the Lincoln Rebellion that monks of Revesby, as well as those of Bardney and Kirkstead, were seen in the field among the insurgents but none of them was brought to trial.
The last notice of the house is in 1538, when the Duke of Norfolk wrote to Cromwell that it was in great ruin and decay. This was before the reformation.
There was a large cruciform church with a nave of seven bays, an aisled presbytery and numerous chapels. South of this stood the domestic buildings, arranged around two cloisters. This core was surrounded by gardens, fishponds, orchards, barns, guesthouses, stables, a farmyard and industrial buildings. A wall protected the monastic grounds and entry was controlled by gatehouses.
There are no standing remains, although the earthworks define not only the church and cloister, but also an extensive precinct
Revesby Hall was built around 1660 by Craven Howardabout a mile east of the village, near the site of the ancient abbey. It was later enlarged by the Banks family. The new hall, Revesby Abbey, was built in 1849 to replace the older one.
Sir Joseph BANKS, baronet, born in London, was the son of William BANKS of Revesby Abbey, who died in 1743. In 1763, Joseph made a voyage to the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador as an explorer and scientist. In 1768, he accompanied Captain COOK on his voyage to the South Sea islands. In 1777, he was elected President of the Royal Society, and held that position until his death in 1820. He spent much of his early life at the family home Revesby Abbey near Horncastle.
This Country house and stable block was built in 1845. It is approached from the south by a 1 km drive and set in a medieval deer park, landscaped in the late C18.
It is unfortunately in very bad condition. English Heritage funded temporary emergency repairs and the Revesby Abbey Preservation Trust formed was formed a few years ago. The building is now in private ownership and the current owner has apparently made considerable progress with repairs to the Abbey. I have heard though that it is decaying faster than the repairing.