Footbridge planned to keep ruined priory open

Plans for a new bridge are being drawn up to safeguard access to the ruins of a priory in Leicestershire.

The route into the grounds of the former Grace Dieu Priory, between Thringstone and Belton, currently runs over an 18th Century brick culvert which carries Grace Dieu Brook through the site.

But the ageing culvert is in danger of collapse and prone to flooding, according to site owner, the Grace Dieu Priory Trust.

The new bridge would link the nearby National Cycle Network route 52 to the priory ruins and provide disabled access for visitors.

David Whitt, chairman of the trust, which was set up in the 1990s to open up the ruins to the public and maintain the site, said: "The culvert was built in about 1780 and over the centuries it started collapsing.

"When it collapses there's not going to be an access to the priory.

"It's only a pedestrian bridge but it would be an easier access, and beneficial for disabled people, people with pushchairs and such like."

The priory dates back to 1239 as a community of Augustinian Catholic women.

It closed as a religious institution in 1538 during Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries and the building was stripped of its pews, church windows and steeple.

It was later converted into a Tudor house but from the late 16th Century, the buildings fell into disrepair.

The trust will mark 30 years since the ruins were opened up to the public.

In 2024, the trust bought the ownership of the scheduled monument for a "peppercorn" sum of £10 from previous owners the Rosminian Order and said building a bridge was one of its first projects following the purchase.

It estimates the cost of the project will be about "£70,000 to £80,000", which it hopes to fund through grants.

Leicestershire County Council said it had undertaken a topographical survey of the site "to kickstart the process".

A spokesperson for the council said: "The county council has been asked by Friends of Grace Dieu Priory to explore potential design solutions for a new footbridge, in liaison with The Environment Agency and Historic England.

"Initial discussions have been productive."

A Historic England spokesperson welcomed the council's progress and said: "We have been working closely with the Grace Dieu Priory Trust and are pleased to be supporting their plans to improve access to this remarkable scheduled monument.

"Following a site visit last year, we have been in positive discussions about a bridge proposal that would provide improved year-round connectivity and accessibility to the priory – including for visitors with mobility needs – while carefully protecting its special archaeological and historic significance."

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