Stoneleigh Abbey was founded in the 12th Century after the land was granted by Henry II to a group of Cistercian monks. They lived peacefully on the banks of the river Avon until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536. In the 1560s an Elizabethan mansion was fashioned from the monastic ruins by the Leigh family who continued to live at Stoneleigh for the next 400 years. Over the years Stoneleigh Abbey has welcomed many important visitors including Charles I, Bonnie Prince Charlie, Queen Victoria and Jane Austen. Jane Austen in particular holds a special place in the heart of Stoneleigh Abbey as this was the country seat of her relatives and in 1806 she came to the Abbey with her mother and sister. Little has changed since 1806, the rooms and much of the furniture are still as Jane would have seen them and there are several portraits of her ancestors around the house. Her fascination with Stoneleigh is revealed during the Jane Austen tour of the Abbey where guides use readings from original letters as well as her works to inform you about the inspirations behind many of her works. Enjoy guided state room history tours, Jane Austen tours with costumed guides, pleasure garden walks and light lunches in the Victorian Orangery.
