History ... hath but one page
House & Abbey
Steeped in over 800 years of history, Newstead is a monastic Abbey from the late 12th century and former home of Romantic poet Lord Byron.
Thro’ thy battlements, Newstead, the hollow winds whistle
Inside the Abbey there is much to discover, including Lord Byron’s private apartments, the Victorian Kitchen and room displays, plus cloisters from the monastic period.
Surviving earthquakes and a civil war, the original façade of the old priory – the West Front – and the medieval cloisters still stand. The priory church’s West Front also contains a sculpture of the Virgin and Child.
Lord Byron
Heralded by many as the greatest Romantic poet of his time, Byron lived at Newstead Abbey between 1808 and 1814. See personal items, such as furniture, letters, manuscripts and portraits, plus his gilt wood bed, pistol and the desk at which he wrote much of his finest work.
Medieval Newstead
Founded as a monastic house in the twelfth century, Newstead retains its medieval character. Dating from the late thirteenth century, marvel at the surviving church structure of the West Front. See the cloisters, Chapter House (now Chapel), stone carvings and manuscripts.
Victorian Newstead
Byron sold the Abbey in 1818 to Thomas Wildmam in whose hands it remained until 1861 when purchased by William Frederick Webb, an African explorer. View Victorian room settings, paintings, letters, deeds and diaries, as well as photo albums of the Abbey, its interiors and gardens, through time.
D. H. Lawrence
In celebration of the acquisition of the last known portrait of D. H. Lawrence to Nottingham City Museums, this painting by Dutch artist Joep Nicolas (1897 – 1972) is currently displayed in Newstead Abbey’s Historic House, and visitors can enjoy as part of Standard Admission to the house also by booking tickets online or on entry to the House.
Newstead through the ages
The house includes collections spanning centuries: from when the Abbey became a private house, to the present day. Comprising paintings, letters, maps and photographs, and eighteenth century views by artist Pieter Tillemans – browse the Gothic Revival Library and panelling of the Great Hall, reputedly sourced from a single oak.