Minsmere - Minsmere Sluice Chapel

Minsmere Sluice Chapel

The remains of a chapel built on the original site of Leiston Abbey are located on the Minsmere Level to the south of the Minsmere New Cut. These are the only visible remains at the site of the original Premonstratensian Abbey. The chapel was probably built when the abbey was relocated and stands in the site of the original monastic church, the stone from which was probably used to build the new abbey at Leiston. It is thought to have been used as a chapel dedicated to St Mary until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537. The abbey was originally built on an island in the marshland but is believed to have suffered from frequent coastal flooding which led to it's relocation to Leiston in 1363. Geophysical surveys have shown that a number of archaeological features lie buried in the immediate area, including remains of the abbey church, cloisters and fish ponds.

The chapel remains include a pillbox built in the early stages of the Second World War. The site and its surrounding area is a scheduled ancient monument. The chapel remains were restored in 2011 to preserve them and to allow some public access.