Garden Gate

This week - a one off - Tuesday is the new Wednesday, so it’s been hospital day today. Fortunately not too long a one.

That meant I could visit a real gem - nearby Norton Priory is closed on Wednesdays.

The Priory was an Augustinian monastery, dissolved with all others by Henry VIII. In 1545 it was bought by Sir Richard Brooke, who reused elements of the monastery in his new house on the site. The Tudor hall was replaced by a new classical building in the 18th century. Proximity to polluting industries and a lack of gas, electricity and running water caused the Brooke family to leave the house in 1921, and in 1928 it was pulled down. In 1966 the then Baronet gave the land in trust for public benefit.

There is now a fascinating museum on the site, with lots to see. The Priory is the most excavated monastery in Europe. Highlights include a massive 14th century statue of St Christopher, a rare survival, the 12th century undercroft which was incorporated in both Tudor Hall and Georgian house, and one of the world’s largest collections of medieval tiles - much of the mosaic tile floor of the Priory church survived in situ.

The main blip is the entrance gate to the delightful walled garden - a gem in its own right, and home to the national tree quince collection. Extras are some tiles, and a lady carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Arbitrary fact. The current Lady Brooke is the journalist and broadcaster Sarah Montague, who hosts The World at One on BBC Radio 4.