The Abbey Church of St Mary and St Melor
Churches & Cathedrals
Sights & Landmarks
Attraction
About
Founded as a Benedictine abbey by Dowager Queen Elfreda in 979 AD, a Saxon church was later added to the site: little of this structure remains except a Saxon font which is still in the church. The Abbey of Amesbury, by all accounts, appears to have been a very important one and was mentioned in the Will of King Alfred. In 1177 Amesbury Abbey was re-founded by Henry II, with nuns from France extending the buildings. These nuns brought with them the veneration of St Melor, a Saint of Brittany, and so the dedication became St Mary and St Melor.
At a glance
- Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes