The house and Church of Clare Priory are set in large grounds and picturesque gardens. Day visitors, as well as retreat members, are welcome to stroll around and enjoy our gardens and grounds, or you may wish to visit the adjacent grounds of Clare Castle Country Park and the ruins of Clare Castle.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit the medieval village of Clare, which can be reached via the footbridge over the River Stour, just outside the Priory entrance.

 

 

The House The house was built in the 14th century and remodelled in the 15th. The bays extending into the cloister are additions of the 16th, 17th or 18th centuries.   The house contains a number of original features, including the Little Cloister with the Shrine, the vaulted porch, and impressive stone and stained glass work throughout the house.
	The Shrine The Shrine is dedicated to Our Lady, Mother of Good Counsel, and is housed in one of the oldest parts of the priory.   It contains a relief of the Mother of Good Counsel by the well-known religious artist, Mother Concordia OSB, and is based on the original fresco at Genazzano near Rome.