The priory was granted on 13/05/1540 to Sir John Byron. The Byrons remained in possession for nearly 300 years. In 1798 the poet, Lord Byron, inherited Newstead and in his poem, "Don Juan" elaborately describes the priory. In 1817 he sold it to Col Wildman who began the work of restoration. In 1860 it was sold to Mr Webb who continued the work. (1)
Newstead Abbey is a large C19 house incorporating the remains of the early Med priory and the post-Dissolution house. Post -dissolution work visible externally includes a few large windows, gables and a C17 porch on the SE wing. Much of the more elaborate interior decoration is also of the C16-C17 period. (3)
Excavations 1957-63 have produced many P Med finds. (4) (5) (6)
Detailed history of Newstead under the Byrons. (7)
Sir John Byron of Colwick … destroyed the body of the church, leaving the façade and the adjacent ranges around the cloister. The prior's lodgings and great hall (probably C15) were converted into Sir John's own, the refectory became the great chamber, and the dorter was split up into chambers. More alterations were made during the C17; the … block at the SE corner resembling a separate two-storey house may date from the late C17 or early C18. When the poet Byron, the sixth Lord … inherited Newstead in 1798 it was in a ruinous state. He restored [rooms] for his own use in the NW corner and … for guests in the SE part. Colonel Wildman … purchased the Abbey in 1817. His architect was John Shaw. He made plans for restorations and additions (dated 1818 and 1819) and largely finished them by 1829. Wildman's successor, Mr. Webb, who owned it from 1860 to 1899, made only minor contributions. (8)
Named 'Abbey'. (9)
See M8939 for Med priory, M2565 for church.
Many associated garden features - see SMR map.

Data Held (Document). SNT2647.

OS Cards, Parish File

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

1 BW print; 1 colour print, B10/5, SMR

Listed buildings slides, 87 slides (Photograph). SNT2648.

01/06/93, Newstead Abbey (Plan). SNT4023.

09/07/92, Newstead Abbey (Plan). SNT4025.

14/04/94, Reinstatement of Stone Chimney, Newstead Abbey (Plan). SNT4022.

17/08/99, Lead Hopper Head, Newstead Abbey (Plan). SNT4020.

from Sanderson., 1836, Newstead Abbey west front. (Plan). SNT4272.

Richard Simpson, Nov 1983, Newstead Abbey Park (Plan). SNT2651.

<1> Thoroton Society, 1919, TTS, p 111 (Published document). SNT344.

<1> Gedling Borough Council, 1991, Gedling's Heritage, 116-117 (Published document). SNT1552.

<2> Nottingham Corporation, 1945, Newstead Abbey Pubn no 1, p 15 (Published document). SNT251.

<3> Woodhouse WC, 1959, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1437.

<4> EMAB eds, 1961, East Midlands Archaeological Bulletin, p 15 (Published document). SNT155.

<5> EMAB eds, 1962, East Midlands Archaeological Bulletin, p 22-3 (Published document). SNT156.

<6> EMAB eds, 1963, East Midlands Archaeological Bulletin, p 19 (Published document). SNT157.

<7> Thoroton Society, 1979, TTS, pp 46-62 (Published document). SNT392.

<8> Pevsner N, 1979, The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire 2nd ed., pp 204-5 (Monograph). SNT4.

<9> Sanderson G, 1835, 20 miles around Mansfield - 2 in (Map). SNT48.