Drury Holt

The Gilbertine Priory of St Mary at Catley was founded as a double house between 1148 and 1154 by Peter of Billinghay. It was dissolved in 1538. Traces remain of what appears to be the cloister garth with church to the north, with robber trenches outlining a smaller building to the west. In the south-western corner of the partly filled precinct moat is an irregular system of channels, one of which was probably a fishpond. The foundation proved locally popular, but the priory was never wealthy by comparison with other reformed monastic houses, and underwent economic decline from the 14th century. It was dissolved in 1538 and the site was later acquired by Robert Carre of Sleaford. Situated in the area formerly known as the Island of Catley, the monument is surrounded by low-lying, formerly waterlogged land. See: Link

See TF1356 : Cropmarks on field at Walcott: aerial 2022 (2) - different field, different cropmark.

See TF1256 : Cropmarks on field at Walcott: aerial 2022 (1) - different field, different cropmark.

Quite mature trees to be as yet unmarked on the OS map! Beside Thorpe Tinley Drove.

The parapet of a bridge is on the right.

At about 12m above sea level - the highest point in Billinghay

Bland, brick Victorian box of 1852

The shed is wooden and looking a little worse for wear. The tractor is a Track Marshall.

A footpath runs by the side of this hedge to nearby Walcott.

This land drain is unusual in that it does not follow the usual design of being straight.

This scene is likely to change in the next few years following the recent shake up in the sugar market payments.

A standard minimal footbridge for the convenience of the landowner.

The main road between Billinghay and Walcott follows the southern end of the low ridge forming the western boundary of the Witham valley. Looking south west towards Digby Fen