Norfolk Heritage Explored: St Benet's Abbey and Windmill

Continuing our explorations of Norfolk and the Broads, Kevin Hall and myself visit St Benet's Abbey, the only one of its kind not to be dissolved by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Built into the existing gatehouse is an 18th Century windmill.
The Abbey is situated along the river Bure on the Norfolk Broads and is both accessible from the land as well as the water.
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[@MrGreatplum]

One of my favourite places on the Broads - there’s something about St Benet’s - when I was a scout, I remember setting off from Ranworth (you took a zoom lens photo of its church) on a yacht at about 6am at the end of March (still dark) and sailing to the abbey to watch the sunrise through the mists there - stunning!

[@RichardVobes]

Oh yes, I bet that was stunning - something to do when I have a campervan - early morning mist walks.

[@justtruth5855]

Your do a brilliant job, its so relaxing and joyful to watch. Those of us who cant go to the lovely places you show get a real feel of what the ancesters saw when they lived there. you make it real and bring the words that are read to life.

[@RichardVobes]

Awww - thank you - we don't always get the facts right but I appreciate your thoughts and words.

[@lindakane7771]

Have never been to The Broads, I must remedy that. What a beautiful place. No doubt the only reason we can still admire the gatehouse is due to the presence of the mill with its beautiful brickwork. The gatehouse construction with stone and inset blocks of knapped flint is similar to The Marlipins in Shoreham

[@RichardVobes]

True amazing building - good observation on the knapped flint and the marlipins. :)

[@georgetimperley8906]

I did enjoy that, that was quite odd to have a windmill in an Abbey! And it's amazing it is still teachnicly in use! That was very fascinating and enjoyable. Well done great video 👍

[@RichardVobes]

Cheers George.

[@zoot69uk2001]

Thank you Richard and Kevin, what a super place to explore, so interesting. Don't worry too much about all the facts, your both exploring and learning. I loved all the markings on the stonework and the interesting brickwork

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Mark - you are a star!

[@andrewnorris1]

This was great, a mill built onto a monastery. What an amazing contrast (in Kent I painted a pill box built onto a ruined chapel!) Wonderful skies and beautiful, flat landscape much enjoyed. Thanks chaps!

[@RichardVobes]

So pleased you enjoyed it!

[@KevinsRambles]

What a place to visit I really enjoyed going to St Benets, and a great video Richard sorry I kept disappearing :-/. I bet you were thinking where the bloody hell is he again 😂😂

[@RichardVobes]

Not at all Kevin - looking forward to your video.

[@rachael5801]

Great video thanks. We visited today and just loved it all, and especially that it’s the only Abbey to survive Henry’s dissolution tantrum.

[@diddyreason]

What a fascinating building and location. Incredible how this building evolved into a windmill. The detail you gave was excellent, and commentary from both of you was interesting. I enjoyed this. Thanks again Richard and also to you Kevin.

[@RichardVobes]

Cheers Tony - a very interesting place to visit.

[@Red_____________]

Great area 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@RichardVobes]

It is fascinating - thanks for watching.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Hi Richard, great vlog, such an interesting site. The addition of the Windmill to the Abbey creates a fascinating structure. Liked the musing about how it came to be built here. Started following your channel after your visit to Cornwall earlier in the year when you explored with Mark. Thank you for showing us a part of the country we have never visited. Cheers Sarah & Andrew.

[@RichardVobes]

So pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for following and watching.

[@georginacox3909]

Lovely sails. Tallships.Nice interior of windmill. Those windows.There are a lot of knights on my local buildings.(sorry).

[@RichardVobes]

No need to be sorry - it is great to have knights on the local buildings.

[@georginacox3909]

@@RichardVobes yes.Enjoy last few days of summer sun but continuing a bit.

[@ramibu239]

WHY DON'T YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!! Kidding!😉 That's part of the fun about traveling new areas - that you often come across unexpected treasures to explore!👍 Besides, we all have access to Wikapedia too!😅 Tremendous place! How facinating - that black & white checkering was marvelous & it was quite interesting to me too why they would butt that "newer" mill up to what I'm assuming were prob already ruins. Thanks Richard & Kevin for showing me something I would have most likely never ever learned about - now off to the ol' wikipedia!😄

[@RichardVobes]

I suppose the answer is that I make the films the way I want to and people don't like they can make their own. :)

[@RichardVobes]

I suppose stuff can be looked up on the spot. It takes away the wonder and fun and besides, why should I do all the work - the viewer can do their own homework, can't they, if they are that interested. :)

[@ramibu239]

@@RichardVobes agreed!

[@ramibu239]

@@RichardVobes you kept apologizing so I just thought I'd give you a hard time (cause I'm a stinker like that!🤪)Never thought it would attract such a Debbie-Downer!🙄 I'm so sorry!!! I really loved the vid last night!❤ I love that you introduce me to new places & that I get to look them up & learn even more after!!!!

[@annosborne7365]

What an interesting video, when seeing all these very old buildings, always think of how the people managed to build them. And how many lives were lost in the process.

[@RichardVobes]

Yes indeed Ann - you make a great point.

[@annosborne7365]

Thank you.

[@RockyValentino2013]

Great video Richard. I've only ever gone past the Abbey via the river. I live just about 20 minutes away by car, I am so lucky! Keep safe.

[@bobbyx27]

Great video as usual. 👍🏻

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks very much.

[@googlecontrolled]

The Bishop of Norfolk comes and gives a service on the first Sunday in August every year at St Benets abbey.

[@andyfrearson2299]

Never been to the Broads, but watching your videos makes me want to go and have a little explore myself. Very nice. 👍🏻

[@RichardVobes]

Well worth a few days up there. I believe the coast line is fascinating too.

[@1972scenic]

Nice day 👍

[@claire76leach]

Seems like most of the windmills have lot their sails!

[@RichardVobes]

Many have because they are no longer in use I am guessing.

[@organicpaul]

Great videos ....no need for too much detail ...sometimes it's more fun if you just dont know!

[@RichardVobes]

Awww cheer mate.

[@TansleyParanormal]

I did my own video there last night and I was the same I knew nothing about it but there was so.eone there who did and filled me in. Interestingly you can see a tree at the side of the Bure inbetween the cross of peace and the Abbey. There was a pub where that tree now stands

[@shaunlaverick5793]

The earliest monastery was founded there in the 9th century the site is where the hermit Suneman was killed , when it was destroyed by the Danes . It was refounded by Wulfric in 960, and reformed to the Benedictine rule in 1019 as an abbey...both Suneman and Wulfric are saints and Wulfric was from Compton Martin, near Bristol.he himself also became a hermit at Haselbury; Somerset.St. Benet’s Abbey is the only Norfolk abbey built in the Anglo-Saxon period that continued to exist during the Middle Ages

[@RichardVobes]

All good fascinating stuff Shaun. Thanks for the addition. I must study more Saxon period stuff.

[@shaunlaverick5793]

ive been studying the Anarchy in relation to my town....Trowbridge castle was in the ownership of the de bouns who declared for the Empress Matilda...it was attacked by Stephen...but what really interesting...it had a mint for a short period during the anarchy...….and when they found the Box hoard near Bath in around 93 they found one coin of stephens minted here...prior to it they didn't know the coinage was minted here.its a really interesting period of history well worth reading up on

[@bjorntoulouse7523]

Didn’t know you could drive to it, always been by boat.

[@RichardVobes]

There is a public footpath and small track you can drive on. Handy!