Two Mile Ash Site. Abbey

The name Bradwell means “Broad spring” (brad, wielle.)
A Benedictine Priory was founded near Bradwell Village by Manfelin, Baron of Wolverton:for the black monks, It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, in 1155,
The Priory was almost wiped out by the plague of 1349 but recovered in time.
They taught local children useful tasks such as weaving and reading until the monks were thrown off the land by Henry V111 during the 1526 dissolution.
The Abbey was then given with other small monasteries to Cardinal Wolsey by the king who granted it with the manor.
After the reformation it was granted to Arthur Longueville, and then bought in 1647 by the Lawrences,
Although nothing remains of the Abbey’s structure, Masons of the time probably used most of the stone to build the 17th century farm house that now occupies the site. (picture below).
In 1664 Sir Joseph Alston then of Chelsea,

He restored the chapel and extended the farmhouse. It then remained in his family until 1730 when the Bradwell Abbey estate was purchased by Sir Charles Gunter Nicholl, K.B.
In the pilgrims chapel of St. Mary a 14th century building (picture above), There are several religious wall paintings the chapel is well worth a visit.
The malt house, bake house and the tithe barn all remain standing at Bradwell Abbey, the fish pond is also still there.
The site is now the City Discovery Centre,
A hive of activity with it’s conference rooms, a library of local history and a photographic collection that covers local interest in the last century,
The outbuildings including the chapel and grounds are used for a wide variety of functions and celebrations such as rock /pop concerts wedding parties, medieval re-enactments and general get together's, there is also a tea room and shop where books, pictures local postcards and mementos can be purchased.