Priory of Augustinian canons, founded c.1120 and dissolved 1538. This was a large priory ... probably for a prior and at least 18 canons, there being this number shortly before the suppression. The priory of St Mary and St Cuthbert stood in the hamlet of Radford, and possessed wealthy endowments and had recieved important trading rights. On its dissolution June 1538 the priory estates passed to the earl of Shrewsbury, and the ownership of that part of the lands covered by the priory buildings is now vested in Worksop Corporation. The nave of the conventual church remains, the rest of its plan having been recovered. Of the monastic buildings to the N of the church, the pillared undercroft of the W range has only its W wall standing; the upper storey has gone, the parlour remains restored as a vestry. Most of the site is covered by a cemetery. The nave is in use for public worship and it is hoped to erect a choir and central tower. (1) (2)
Alternate names: Priory Cross; Priory of St Mary and St Cuthbert; Radford Priory. The market cross has been re-erected (as published in OS 1:2500), and appears original apart from the upper portion of shaft (see photograph); the original site now falls under a modern highway. Extensive restoration and rebuilding is now in progress and is nearing completion. The church is to be re-consecrated on May 18th of this year at which time a new historical guide will be available. (10)
The extant remains of this house are now incorporated into the church and property of St Mary and St Cuthbert. They comprise the nave of the conventual church, now in use for public worship. St Mary's Chapel now joined to the S tansept and re-named the Lady Chapel. A fragement of the W wall of the cloister. The former parlour is now within the modern church. Extensive restoration and rebuilding is now in progress and is nearing completion. (8)
The date of the foundation of the Priory is given by Dugdale['s Monasticon] as … AD 1103. (9)
The gatehouse is known to have been restored in 1814, 1891, 1909-12, 1959 and 1974. (10)
(Name centred SK 59057889) Priory (NR) (Remains of) Ch (NAT) (1)

SK 59007878 Cross (NR) (2)

Priory of Augustinian Canons. Founded c. 1120 and dissolved 1538. Net income at 1535 - £239. This was a large priory, the income in 1291 being over £71, and it was probably for a prior and at least 18 canons, there being this number shortly before the suppression. (3)

The priory of St Mary and St Cuthbert stood in the hamlet of Radford, and possessed wealthy endowments and had received important trading rights. A market and fair were held at the cross outside its gates. On its dissolution in June 1538 the priory estates passed to the Earl of Shrewsbury, and the ownership of that part of the lands covered by the priory buildings is now vested in Worksop Corporation.

The nave of the conventual church remains, the rest of its plan has been recovered. Of the outer courtyard the gatehouse still remains. This is of 14th cent date; restored in 1912.

A thorough restoration was undertaken in 1845 and again in 1922; before the latter date some excavation showed three stages of construction. The first choir was small and had 3 paralleled apses; this was replaced with an apse, flanked by straight-ended chancel chapels and with eastern apses on the transepts; in the 13th cent the east end was enlarged to a square-ended plan with a small apse.

Of the monastic buildings to the north of the church, the pillared undercroft of the west range has only its west wall standing; the upper story has gone, the parlour remains restored as a vestry.

Most of the site is covered by a cemetery. The nave is in use for public worship and it is hoped to erect a choir and a central tower. (4)

(SK 58997878) Cross (NAT) (5)

The extant remains of this House are now incorporated into the church and property of St Mary and St Cuthbert. They comprise the nave of the conventual church, now in use for public worship. St Mary's Chapel (OS 25" 1920), now joined to the south transept and re-named the Lady Chapel (see photograph). The Gatehouse, in outstanding condition and used as parish offices (see photographs); and a fragment of the west wall of the cloister (see photographs). The former parlour is now within the modern church. (6)

The market cross has been re-erected (as published in OS 1:2500), and appears original apart from the upper portion of shaft (see photograph); the original site now falls under a modern highway. Extensive restoration and rebuilding is now in progress and is nearing completion. The church is to be re-consecrated on May 18th of this year at which time a new historical guide will be available.

Church of Saints Cuthbert and Mary, formerly Radford Priory, now known as Worksop Priory. Grade 'A'. (7)

Priory Gatehouse. Grade I. (8)

History of the priory and description of the remains. (11)

Historic England related photographs:
OP06262 : A view of the central entry to Worksop Priory Gatehouse with a traceried lancet window flanked by niches containing carved figures above
OP06263: View of the late Norman north doorway of Worksop Priory with zigzag decorated arches
OP06290: A view of the interior of Worksop Priory, looking down the nave towards the alta(10)


See M5160 for cross, M4372 for gatehouse, M8967 for church. See also M6100 for infirmary and M4413 for watermill.

Data Held: Ground Photograph (Ground photograph). SNT2646.

OS

<1> Peverel Archaeology Group, 1953, Ann Rept 5, pp 28-9 (Published document). SNT1123.

<2> Knowles D and Hadcock N, 1953, Medieval Religious Houses, p 159 (Published document). SNT869.

<3> Trollope E, 1859-60, Associated Architectural Society Reports and Papers, p 208 (Article in serial). SNT421.

<4> Stacye J, 1874, Journal of the British Archaeological Association, p 277 (Article in serial). SNT192.

<5> White R, 1875, Worksop: The Dukery and Sherwood Forest (Published document). SNT1415.

<6> D'Arcy GJA, 1930, Worksop Priory: the Priory Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert (Published document). SNT601.

<7> Walker CW, 1946, Guide to Priory… (Published document). SNT1389.

<8> Colquhoun FD, 1974, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT582.

<9> Thoroton Society, 1905, TTS, p 84 (Published document). SNT332.

<10> Historic England, 2021, National Record of Historic Environment (Digital archive). SNT5271.

<11> Marcombe D and Hamilton J (eds), 1998, Sanctity and Scandal. The Medieval Religious Houses of Nottinghamshire, p. 17-22 (Published document). SNT6429.

<12> Jonathan Smith, 2016, Archaeological monitoring and recording on Priory Gatehouse, Worksop (Unpublished document). SNT5752.

<13> OS, 1884, 1:2500, County Series 1884 (Map). SNT1047.