Bookings taken up to 31st October 2026
The Old Abbey Farmhouse is a beautiful Grade II listed property, located on the grounds of Quarr Abbey, which is home to a community of Catholic Benedictine monks. The Farmhouse is adjacent to the ruins of an ancient Cistercian abbey, which was founded in 1132 by Baldwin de Redvers, Earl of Devon and fourth Lord of the Isle of Wight. The site of this ancient abbey lies midway between Fishbourne and the village that grew up around the royal quarry at Binstead. It was from this quarry that the abbey took its name: Quarreria – Quarr. Hence, its original title was: The Abbey of St Mary in the Quarries. This quarry had been in use since the Norman Conquest, providing stone for Hampshire churches and also most notably the cathedrals of Winchester and Chichester.
On entering through the eighteenth-century front doorway of the Farmhouse, a bright hallway opens to both the dining room and living room. The dining room, with a wood burner, has seating for four guests. The kitchen has newly fitted units with a dishwasher, oven and hob. There is a small utility room with a washing machine next to the kitchen. Off the kitchen is the bathroom with a roll top bath, basin and toilet. Access to the garden is through the kitchen, which also has a small, enclosed seating area, perfect for an afternoon drink in the sun. The garden is enclosed and is suited for a small dog to enjoy. The living room is a bright and airy room with another wood burner and a Smart TV. The views across the farmers’ fields are inspiring, a peaceful place to sit and enjoy. The staircase leads up to a landing and two bedrooms. The master bedroom has a double bed and a recently fitted ensuite with a shower cubicle. The second bedroom has a king-size bed. Outside the rear garden, there is a patio area for guests to enjoy an afternoon in the sun or an evening under the stars after you have taken in the sights of the Abbey grounds.
The more modern Quarr Abbey, built from 1907 to 1914, is an architectural wonder, constructed entirely of brick. Its magnificent church, a jewel of the Isle of Wight, is open to the public from 5.00 am to 8.30 pm every day. Church services, sung by the monks in Gregorian Chant, are held throughout each day. See the abbey website for times of these services (quarrabbey.org).
Many different activities are held on the Abbey grounds throughout the year. If walking is something you enjoy, there are many public walkways, including a woodland walk. The abbey has an Art Gallery with different local artists exhibiting each week. It also has a Farm Shop with a large variety of goods for sale, a Monastery Shop selling religious books, cards and rosaries, and a Visitor Centre explaining about the life and history of the monastic life at Quarr. Why not stop by the Quarr Abbey Tea Shop and enjoy homemade cakes or a light meal in its beautiful tea garden. Then you can feed the pigs, always a popular attraction! Full information on the abbey, its grounds and history can be seen on its website and Facebook page.
The town centre of Ryde is 2 miles from the property, where you can find many restaurants, pubs, cafés and shops. The nearest ferry terminal is at Fishbourne, which is a short ten-minute walk from the abbey along its bridle path.
If you have any questions or queries about your booking for The Old Abbey Farmhouse, please email tracy.osborn@quarr.org or call 01983 882420 ext 232.
Please note the Guestmaster does not deal with bookings for The Old Abbey Farmhouse.