Hawkshead

Hawkshead is a village and civil parish in Cumbria, England. The township of Hawkshead was originally owned by the monks of Furness Abbey. Hawkshead grew to be an important wool market in medieval times and later as a market town after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1532. It was granted its first market charter by King James I in 1608.

St Michaels and All Angels Parish Church and Cemetery overlooks the town of Hawkshead.

Church Overlooking Hawkshead

Muchelney Abbey and Abbott’s House

Founded in 7th or 8th century, Muchelney Abbey is a landmark in Somerset. It was once a wealthy Benedictine house and the second oldest religious foundation in Somerset, but as part of the dissolution the abbey’s principal buildings were demolished by Henry VIII in 1538. The Abbey was the second largest in Somerset after Glastonbury, England.

Muchelney Abbey

The only intact structure is the Abbot’s House with well-preserved architectural features including external stonework and inside a great chamber with ornate fireplace, carved settle and stained glass, and timber roof.

Muchelney Abbey Abbott’s House