Around the Meaux Abbey site with photos.

Looking south west across Tippet Lane. The Eschedike is marked by the row of trees. Beyond this is the Outer Court and the Varrary of Felsa (cow pasture).

View across the ex mill pond to the Mill House. The mill pond was fed by the Eschedike.

At the southern end of the old entrance looking north. On the right of the photo was the Great Gate to the Abbey. A smaller gate behind Gill prevented the monastery chickens escaping when the Great Gate was opened.

Running from lower right to upper left is a small dyke repaired in 1350. Behind the cameras is the area where the lead from the roof was melted down (1539-43) to ingots for transportation away. The lighter vegetation in the distance is the 'platform' of the abbey church. I think it looks lighter because of the change of drainage because of the walls and thus different vegetation has grown.

The old (1150?) entrance looking south. Now very overgrown. To the right is the Eschedike, the first dyke to be dug (1160-82). To the left is another dyke.

This photo is taken from the south west side of the 'church' Gill is standing on the edge of the cloister which is lower. The square shape of the cloister can be made out. Beyond the cloister the ground rise because of the walls of buildings which were once here including the Pursers Office to which the Dogdike beyond seems to have lead. The trees in the distance mark the line of the zig zag Monkdike branch which flowed east to west across the site to join the Eschedike.

Part of an exposed wall. Some walls no doubt will have been of a rough construction others of better dressed stone.

The Dogdike looking west as it turns, very near to a lovely oak tree, to join the Monkdike and in short distance this joins the Eschedike. The water then ran into the Ashdike and then to the River Hull. Behind the camera the Dogdike ends and enters an underground culvert. The west end of this may have fed the Foss of the Abbots Chamber. (see other photo)

Photo 9 The deep water filled hollow to the east of the Dogdike and fed by a small branch of the Monkdike. Fish pond?

A possible fish pond --with water in it.

Looking east along the Foss of the Abbots Chamber (the green depression). To the left are the gardens of the Abbot and Prior. Near the trees is a burial ground (for Lay Brothers?). The trees mark the zig-zag course of the Monkdike bringing water from the Lambwarth Stream. To the right was the orchard.

A Monkdike brach (left) joins the Eschedike (right). A little further south this becomes the Ashdike at the junction of the main Monkdike. The Holderness Drain did not exist at the time. (See map)

Looking north across the mill pond towards the site entrance. The

trees mark the line of the Eschedike.

The Mill house. This stands at the southern end of the mill pond fed by the Eschedike. The mill is much rebuilt but still seems to have some medieval bricks and stone from the abbey. Looking at the terrain it was probably an undershot mill wheel.

View across the ex mill pond to the Mill House. The mill pond was fed by the Eschedike.

The Dogdike. This joins the Monkdike on the left and runs to the the south side of the abbey buildings. On the right it enters an underground culvert (sewer) and probably could exit at the Foss of the Abbots Chamber. Sewer is used here in the medieval way for a water carrying channel.

The slides above with their legends will help you to understand understand the Meaux Abbey site. This is a Grade II site private site under the guardianship of Historic England.

These photos (above) are best looked at with reference to the Google based maps I put on the site as well as the description I published. To keep them in order click on the first photo on and follow them through with the arrows. The legends might not make sense if the photos are out of order! Enjoy.