About the trust
We are the charitable trust working to preserve, restore and share the heritage and beauty of St Osyth Priory and wider Parish, for the education, wellbeing and enjoyment of everyone.
Our focus is St Osyth Priory, a privately owned estate of 16 listed buildings set within 350 acres of parkland in Tendring, Essex. The Priory’s historical significance spans 1400 years; from its foundations in the story of Osyth during Anglo-Saxon times, through its fortunes as one of the wealthiest medieval priories in Europe, to its transformations as a Tudor residence, a country house, a convalescent home and, more recently, a private residence.
Our charitable trust was set up in 2016 and is run by a group of trustees, skilled staff and volunteers, many of whom are local. Working in partnership with the estate, we are dedicated to restoring key buildings that are included in Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register (HAR).
As part of our commitment to regenerating the site, we encourage public connection to the unique buildings and nature at St Osyth Priory for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. We facilitate this through organised educational, group and individual visits, as well as seasonal community events, all led by qualified teachers and local experts. These run alongside the weddings, private events and luxury stays offered by the estate itself.
