Editing Basingwerk Abbey (section)

==Present day==
[[File:BasingwerkPriory.JPG|thumb|left]]

Since 1923, the remains of the abbey have been in state care. The ruins are part of [[Greenfield Valley Heritage Park]], and are managed by [[Cadw]]. In common with most medieval monasteries, the abbey buildings were centred on a large church, with the domestic buildings of the monks in three ranges surrounding a [[cloister]] to its south. The majority of the buildings, including the church, were erected in the 13th century.<ref name=":0" /> The 50m long cruciform church has been reduced to  foundations and low walls except for the south transept, where the west walls still stands high with one high window and the arch that led to the south aisle.<ref name=":0" /> Of the buildings round the cloister more remains, as they were converted to a house after the Dissolution. Immediately south of the church is the [[sacristy]], then the [[chapter house]]. This is a 12th century room, to which a vaulted eastern section was added, divided by an arcade of two round arches which still stands. Around the walls is the bench on which the monks sat for chapter meetings. To the south is the dormitory undercroft, and to the south of that a warming room was added in the mid-13th century.<ref name=":0" /> This end of the range was heavily rebuilt in the later middle ages, with the vault being removed and a new hall and chamber built.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Emery |first=Anthony |title=Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales, 1300-1500 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2000 |volume=2 |location=Cambridge}}</ref> Over this range stood the monks' dormitory, of which part of the side walls still stand, with [[lancet window]]s. Extending east from the south end of this range is another range of uncertain date, possibly incorporating the infirmary or abbot's house.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Thorold |first=Henry |title=Collins Guide to the Ruined Abbeys of England, Wales and Scotland |publisher=HarperCollins |year=1993 |location=London |pages=216}}</ref> In the south range are the staircase up to the dormitory, and the [[refectory]]. In the normal Cistercian manner, this is aligned north-south, perpendicular to the body of the range. It was a high-quality chamber, and elaborate lancets with [[English Gothic architecture|Early English]] shafting survive in the west wall, along with the reader's pulpit and the hatch to the kitchen.<ref name=":1" /> Of the kitchen, and the entire west range, virtually nothing survives. The latter was separated from the cloister proper by a 'lane', as can be better seen at the Cistercian houses of [[Buildwas Abbey|Buildwas]] and [[Byland Abbey|Byland]].

The abbey marks the starting point of the [[North Wales Pilgrims Way]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pilgrims-way-north-wales.org/index.html|title=Taith Pererin Gogledd Cymru ~ North Wales Pilgrim's Way|website=www.pilgrims-way-north-wales.org|accessdate=9 June 2017}}</ref>