St Marys Priory Learning Service
Welcome to the Tithe Barn, Abergavenny. This historic building, painstakingly restored in 2002, is part of the St Mary’s Priory Church complex. It houses our food hall, shop, education centre and exhibition.
The barn itself has a long and fascinating history. It dates back to the 12th century, when it was built to house the tithes (taxes) paid by the local community to the monks of St Mary’s Priory. Over the years it has been used for many different purposes, from a travelling theatre in the 17th century to a carpet warehouse and discotheque in the 20th. Find out more about its history on our restoration page.
You can also find out more about the tithe barn’s unique history in our exhibition – located on the first floor. During your visit you will also discover the fascinating story of St Mary’s Priory and the town of Abergavenny :
- Explore our interactive 3D computer model of the Priory complex, and find out how it has changed from Roman times right up to the present day.
- Discover 1,000 years of Abergavenny’s history, from the founding of St Mary’s Priory by a Norman nobleman in 1087, through the turbulent years of the Reformation and Civil War, to its emergence as a prosperous market town and centre for Welsh culture in the 19th century.
- Hear some of the tales of some of Abergavenny’s more colourful characters – find out about the infamous Ogre of Abergavenny and his dastardly deeds, hear about some of the scandalous goings-on at St Mary’s Priory, and discover the engrossing Civil War diary of Royalist soldier Richard Symonds.
- Marvel at the magnificent Abergavenny Tapestry, hand-stitched by Abergavenny residents to celebrate the history of the town and to commemorate the Millennium in 2000.
After your visit, why not refresh yourself with a visit to our Food Hall, where you can enjoy a true taste of Wales. Or browse our shop, which stocks a wide range of quality gifts, souvenirs and local history publications.
The Learning Service offers school workshops, family learning activities and events, pre-booked guided tours and much more.
Guided Tours
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Tithe Barn Books
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The Learning Service
The St Mary's Priory Learning Service has been developed as a central component within the Tithe Barn provision.
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Restoration
In the 900 years since it was first built as a storehouse for the tithes (taxes) paid to St Mary’s Priory, the Tithe Barn has been used for all manner of purposes. If buildings could talk, this one could certainly tell a few tales from its eventful history!
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1,000 years of Abergavenny
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Tales of Abergavenny
Discover stories from Abergavenny’s colourful past using the interactive multimedia computer touchscreens housed within the exhibition.Find out more >
Abergavenny Tapestry
The magnificent Abergavenny Tapestry was created by a group of over 60 local volunteers, as a way of celebrating the new millennium in 2000.
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Tithe Barn News and Events
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Contact Us
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Find Us
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Opening Times
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