This sandstone building was once the guest quarters of a Benedictine priory founded in 1087 which later became an Elizabethan merchant's home. In the Norman crypt, massive round columns support low ribbed vaulting. The Guest Hall and Prior's Room have handsome timber roofs and contain 16-17C furniture.

These narrow passages hollowed out in the 13C to serve as an aqueduct were in use until the 19C. In view of the confined space, a tour is not recommended for people suffering from claustrophobia.

At the top of the hill stands the parish church of St Mary, flanked with twin towers, and consecrated in 1260 on land that belonged to Rouen Cathedral from 1061-1336. A large part of the liturgical furniture dates back to that period (1280-1377), including the Grandisson clock and the gilded wooden eagle, one of the oldest and finest lecterns of this sort in England. Note the different vaults, the superb keystones and corbels.

This building, built in memory of Prince Albert (1896), contains superb collections of artefacts covering four main areas of interest: natural history, archeology, ethnography and fine and decorative arts. The natural history section (animal, vegetable and mineral specimens from all five continents) is the largest collection to be found in Britain outside London. The museum also has an active educational policy.