Blackfriars

History

Completed in 1270, the house was build largely from donations from Henry III, being one of the three Gloucester monasteries he supported. By 1539, due to the land they were one, the friars were suppressed along with larger monateries, leaving only six friars and a prior living in Gloucester. Thomas Bell bought Blackfriars and coverted the church into a mansion and the other surrounding buildings into a weaving factory. In the 19th century the west range became a row of terraced houses.

The point of interest for Blackfriars is its vast history of adaption and use of the years and the astounding nature of the survival of some of its rare features such as the magnificent scale of the original scissor-braced roof and the Scriptorium, the oldest and most well preserved, medieval library in Britain.

Blackfriars is also available for hire from specific rooms to the whole venue. They are able to cater to conferences and meetings, parties and weddings, concerts and performaces. Whether your locking for a small wedding venue or a large concert venue, Blackfriars has it all.