Netley Abbey

Netley Abbey was a Cistercian House founded in 1239 by Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester though he died before it was completed. Henry II took a keen interest in the Abbey and became its royal patron. In 1536 Netley abbey was closed with the Dissolution of he Monasteries and Henry VIII granted the site to William Paulet (1483 – 10 March 1572) , Lord Treasurer and Marquess of Winchester who converted it into a private palace for himself.

In 1700 Sir Berkeley Lucy acquired the abbey and had in demolished to sell the stone off for building materials. The abbey was abandoned after it had been scavenged. Then in 1760 what was left of the north transept was taken by Thomas Drummer to Cranbury Park as a folly.

According to legend there is a secret tunnel within the ruins that contains the hidden treasure of the abbey. It is said to be guarded by a ghostly monk.