Stoneleigh Abbey is an historic country house and former Cistercian monastery located near Kenilworth in Warwickshire. Its history spans nearly 900 years, encompassing monastic life, aristocratic grandeur and literary significance.

The Abbey was founded as a monastery in 1154 by Henry II for the cistercian monks from Radmore Abbey in Staffordshire. This was due to the poor condition of Radmore Abbey. It was built along the banks of the River Avon in accordance with the typical Cistercian tradition of establishing peaceful remote communities near water.

Under Henry VIII, the monastery was dissolved in 1536 and the property was granted to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk a close ally of Henry VIII.

In 1561 the estate was purchased by Sir Thomas Leigh, the Lord Mayor of London. The Abbey would be owned by this family for the next 400 years.

The monastic buildings were largely demolished with some parts incorporated into new construction. Some of the original Abbey is still visible from the Seance room. The Jocobian house was built around 1561. In 1714-1726, the West Wing was added in Baroque/Paladian style having been designed by Francis Smith of Warwick.

Extensive landscaping was carried out, with input from prominent landscape designer Humphry Repton.

Jane Austen visited Stoneleigh Abbey in 1806 with her mother and sister. The estate belonged to her relatives the Leighs. Jane’s mother was a Leigh. It is widely believed that Stoneleigh inspired some of the locations in her novels such as Sotherton Court in Mansfield Park.

In 1960 there was a devastating fire that damaged parts of the house. Some of the repairs can still be seen today as well as the pillars added for structural integrity. The Leigh family eventually left the estate.

In 1996 a charitable trust was established to preserve the site. Lottery funding was obtained and the house was opened to the public. Today it offers guided tours, exhibitions, a tea room, weddings, riverside walks and ghost investigation events hosted by PC. Paranormal