Marrick Priory

Outdoor Education and Residential Centre

AALA - Adventure Activities Licensing Authority

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    • Foundation
    • Dissolution
    • 1958 – Photos
    • Youth Centre
    • Photos – Then and Now
    • Newspaper Articles
    • The Hearse House
    • JMW Turner (Artist)
    • History PDF Download
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History

Marrick PrioryIn the twelfth century, a group of Benedictine nuns chose this spot because of its beauty and its solitude. For four centuries it was home to their order until Henry VIII evicted them in 1540. Over the years that followed, the Priory was used as a Parish church before falling derelict and becoming a home for stray chickens!

The artist JMW Turner visited the Priory in 1816 and made a sketch, from which he later produced a watercolour.

Marrick Priory was once home to one of Britain's oldest hearses, built in 1828.

During the 1960's the Priory was converted by the Diocese into an Outdoor Education and Residential Centre. We have some photos from 1958 showing Marrick Priory before the conversion.  We also have some photos from the 1970s and beyond showing how things have changed over the years - see photos - then and now.  In 1994 the old Prioress's house was converted from a barn into a large new common room. Further works were completed in 2003 to upgrade the boys bathrooms, drying facilities and our provision for those with disabilities

Today thousands of visitors a year still appreciate this place for the very same reasons that the nuns chose it 850 years ago. Enjoying both adventure and tranquility through a range of activities and residential opportunities.

You can download the entire history section as a PDF here for printing and viewing offline. 

Foundation

Foundation

Today's visitors frequently comment on the beauty of Marrick Priory's setting in the middle reaches of Swaledale. For those who chose the site in the… Continue Reading

Dissolution

Dissolution

Marrick survived the first round of closures, even though it did belong to the ranks of the smaller houses, with an income below £200 per annum. On … Continue Reading

1958 Photos

1958 - Photos

Photos from 1958 showing several boys from Richmond Grammar School renovating Marrick Priory before it started life as an Outdoor Education Centre in 1970s ... Continue Reading

Youth Centre

Youth Centre

During the 1960s work began converting Marrick Priory into a Youth Centre.  It opened to guests in 1970 ... Continue Reading

Photos - Then and Now

Photos - Then and Now

A selection of comparison photos showing how Marrick Priory has developed since it first opened as an Outdoor Centre in 1970 ... Continue Reading

Newspaper Articles

Newspaper Articles

A selection of newspaper articles that chronicle the inception and development of Marrick Priory as an Outdoor Centre... Continue Reading

Hearse House

The Hearse House

Marrick Priory was once home to a very rare object: probably Britain’s oldest hearse, built in 1828. The simple two-wheeled hearse left the Priory’s grounds in the 1960s ... Continue Reading

JMW Turner

JMW Turner (Artist)

The artist JMW Turner visited Marrick Priory in the summer of 1816 on his way from Wensleydale to Richmond. He was collecting sketches for … Continue Reading

History PDF download

History PDF Download

We have created a free comprehensive 16-page downloadable history guide (PDF) which contains all the history information and photos from this website … Continue Reading

History Menu

  • Foundation
  • Dissolution
  • 1958 – Photos
  • Youth Centre
  • Photos – Then and Now
  • Newspaper Articles
  • The Hearse House
  • JMW Turner (Artist)
  • History PDF Download

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Write:
Marrick Priory OEC
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL11 7LD

Telephone:
01748 884434

Main contact:
office@marrickpriory.co.uk

Website related matters:
website@marrickpriory.co.uk

 

Welcome

Marrick Priory is a historic 12th century medieval building that was developed in the 1970s into an Outdoor Education and Residential Centre.  It is situated in Swaledale in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park and welcomes groups of visitors from all over the world. The Priory is licensed to provide a wide range of adventurous activities and can be booked on a day or residential … Continue Reading

Feedback from Leaders

"The instructors were extremely pleasant, friendly and assertive"

Feedback from Children

"I have come back with new talents I never new I had"

Feedback About the Food

"Excellent food and flexibility - healthy and child appealing"

Feedback collated from feedback forms and thank you letters from children. See more feedback here

Governance

Marrick Priory is run by the Head of Centre and a board of dedicated and active trustees. There is a close affiliation with the Church of England through the Diocese of Leeds, who have been instrumental in supporting and developing the centre since the 1960’s. The Diocese appoints half of the trustees, with the other half being made up of locally recruited representatives.

Make a Secure Donation to Marrick Priory

The Church of England - Diocese of Leeds

AHOEC - Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres

People's Postcode Trust

Marrick Priory Outdoor Education Centre - Richmond - North Yorkshire - DL11 7LD
email: office@marrickpriory.co.uk | tel: 01748 884434 | fax: 01748 880178
Marrick Priory Trust Limited is a Registered Charity – No. 1139240
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