Dudley Priory was founded in1160 by Cluniac monks which were a branch of the Benedictine order. It closed in 1395 only to reopen shortly after as an independent priory. The priory was closed in the 1530’s when King Henry VIII passed his Dissolution of the Monasteries law.
The priory can be found in Priory park at the junction of The Broadway and Paganel Drive. It’s 10 minutes walk form both Dudley town centre and Dudley bus station. It’s open all year round and is free to enter.
The floors of the priory would have been covered in decorated tiles like these on the floor of the Sutton Chapel.
The priory was surrounded by a number of lakes that supplied the monks with fish as they weren’t allowed to eat meat. The lakes have been filled in and only the walled pool remains.
THE PRIORY EXHIBITION
There is an exhibition of the priory in the pavilion in the park. In 2014 it was open from 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday and from 11.00am – 7.00pm on Saturdays.
MORE INFORMATION
The Friends of Priory Park website for all events and general information as well as a page which gives a short history of the priory at http://www.halffg.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/fopp
The Friends of Dudley Castle have a page on the Priory http://www.dudleycastle.org.uk/priory.html
Wikipedia also has a page on the priory at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Priory
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