Beachief Abbey- Old Buildings Of Sheffield

Beauchief Abbey dates back to at least 1176. It was originally founded as a daughter establishment of Welbeck Abbey, thanks to a gift of land by the Lord of Alfreton. The official founding date was a little later in 1183.

Many already know of the Archbishop Thomas Becket having been murdered here in 1170. There is no actual evidence that the murder was linked to the Abbey being taken over.

The White Canons as they were known lived at the Abbey, but as ordained priests they also worked in local communities, some taking charge of nearby churches.

The Abbey over the years has owned many of the churches in the area alongside a large number of farms and Mills- not forgetting the Smithy on the Sheaf.

Records of the lands held by the Abbey were copied by the canons into a book known as the "Cartulary". It is quite the read and shows just how much land was actually owned by them.

In 1537, Henry VIII's dissolution of the monestries meant that this was surrendered to Thomas Cromwells commissioners.

In 1648 Sir Nicholas Strelley, then Lord of Ecclesall, bought the Abbey and 'all the land in the Liberty of Beauchief' for £223. This then came by marriage into the possession of the Pegge family. Following the Dissolution, the church fell into disrepair, but it seems that some of the other buildings, continued to be used.

From around 1667 much of the stone was used for the building of Beauchief Hall, which became the residence of Edward Pegge in 1671. At about this time or later, that the nave of the church and the tower were restored to make a chapel for the landowners, as can be seen today in the surviving box pews, coats of arms, and carved stone memorials.

Two gravestones can still be seen by the chapel dated 1659 & 1660 suggesting that the chapel had started functioning again by that time.

The Pegge family continued to own Beauchief Hall and the Abbey until 1922, when they were sold to Major Wilson and Mr. Frank Crawshaw. In 1931 he then sold the land and it became Beauchief Golf Club. Mr Crawshaw at this time, offered the Abbey, adjacent cottages , graveyard and grounds to the citizens of Sheffield.

The Abbey was declared to be a scheduled monument in 1957 but it remains in the ownership of the Council to date.

I drew the Abbey from the graveyard as to me, there is something quite special about sitting on a flush lawn looking back into an old world over the old wall. The graves I treasure, moving with the land as the years pass. Its a really beautiful spot to enjoy the wind blowing through the trees and the to feel the frosty bite on your nose.

If you are ever near the Abbey, I recommend taking a stroll around the back of it where you will find some of the oldest ponds in Sheffield and also this fantastic view. Sharing the space with Nature, its a perfect spot to relax.