Godstow Abbey is a ruined Benedictine nunnery beside the River Thames, on Godstow Road in Oxford. Founded in 1133 by Edith of Winchester, it is associated with Rosamund Clifford, who was buried here. You can explore remains of the church, cloister and chapter house, then walk by the river or continue towards Port Meadow. The abbey also appears in Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. The grounds can be muddy, so wear shoes suitable for uneven paths.
The abbey’s early history
Edith of Winchester founded Godstow Abbey in 1133 as a Benedictine nunnery. It received support from royalty and the nobility. The abbey was suppressed in 1539, and its church, cloister and chapter house now survive as ruins.
Rosamund Clifford, the mistress of King Henry II, was buried at Godstow. Her connection to the abbey gives the site a place in the history associated with the surrounding ruins.
Godstow in literature
The abbey is mentioned in Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. These literary connections can add another thread to a visit among the remains.
The grounds sit beside the River Thames, close to Port Meadow. Wildflowers grow around the ruins, and bats are among the wildlife found here.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Godstow Abbey?
It is on Godstow Road in Oxford, beside the River Thames.
When was Godstow Abbey founded?
Edith of Winchester founded the Benedictine nunnery in 1133.
Who was buried at Godstow Abbey?
Rosamund Clifford, mistress of King Henry II, was buried at the abbey.
Which literary works mention Godstow Abbey?
The abbey is mentioned in Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials.
