Augustinian Abbey known as Norton Priory
9 ha
Plan your visit
🦅Birds✦Heritage🦉Wildlife
Free entryDogs welcome9 ha
Getting here
53.34197, -2.67860
Open directionsv
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🐦83+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Willow Tit and Mallard
- ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- 🐦83+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Willow Tit and Mallard
- ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
🦅Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Willow Tit, Mallard, Coot +80 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds
Free
✦Heritage
Very strong match
Grade I listed building: REMAINS OF NORTON PRIORY; Historic site
Free
Birds — Willow Tit, Mallard, Coot +80 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat
Free
🦋Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Light Emerald, Large Yellow Underwing, Brimstone Moth +138 more · last seen 2025
Free
🍂Seasonal nature
Good match
Plants — Hogweed, Common Nettle, Wild Carrot +16 more · last seen 2025
Free
Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic
Varies
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km9 signed routes nearby · 1 public path nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Cheshire CircuitWalking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
Cheshire Ring Canal WalkWalking route▾
Trans-Pennine Trail (Liverpool to Warrington)Walking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
Mersey WayWalking route▾
Named routeLocal walking route
Weaver WayWalking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
164 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Runcorn LoopCycling route▾
Named routeRef Runcorn LoopLocal cycle route
Pier to Pier cycle routeCycling route▾
Named routeRef 562National Cycle Network
Trans Pennine TrailCycling route▾
Named routeRef 62National Cycle Network
Trans Pennine TrailCycling route▾
Named routeRef 62National Cycle Network
Trans Pennine TrailCycling route▾
Named routeRef 62National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network Route 5Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 5National Cycle Network
Photos
Four stone coffins at Norton Priory
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysNearby places
Useful places within 5 km
Events & activities nearby
Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.
Wildlife to spot
70,924 records · National Biodiversity Network
Wildlife to spot
70,924 records · National Biodiversity Network🐦Birds36 species
summerautumn
2026▾
Woodpigeon · Coot · Mallard · Black-headed Gull · Lesser Black-backed Gull +31
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
- CootFulica atra2025
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
- Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
- MagpiePica pica2025
- RedshankTringa totanus2025
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
- CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
- MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta2025
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
- Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2025
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
- Common GullLarus canus2025
- SwiftApus apus2025
- Great TitParus major
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
- TealAnas crecca2025
- Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferruginea2025
- ShelduckTadorna tadorna2025
- Tawny OwlStrix aluco2025
- Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
- JackdawColoeus monedula2025
- Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula2025
- Green SandpiperTringa ochropus2025
- BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
- CurlewNumenius arquata2025
- OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
- GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
- LapwingVanellus vanellus2025
- SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba2025
- Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
- RavenCorvus corax2025
🦌Mammals4 species
wintersummerautumn
2026▾
Mole · Harvest Mouse · Grey Squirrel · Common Shrew
- MoleTalpa europaea
- Harvest MouseMicromys minutus2025
- Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
- Common ShrewSorex araneus2025
🐸Amphibians2 species
springsummer
2026▾
Common Toad · Common Frog
- Common ToadBufo bufo
- Common FrogRana temporaria
Brimstone Moth · Large Yellow Underwing · Brick · Lesser Yellow Underwing · Large Wainscot +78
- Brimstone MothOpisthograptis luteolata
- Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronuba
- BrickSunira circellaris
- Lesser Yellow UnderwingNoctua comes
- Large WainscotRhizedra lutosa
- Common Marbled CarpetDysstroma truncata
- Light Emerald
🌿Plants3 species
summerwinter
2025▾
Broad-leaved Helleborine · Hogweed · Bristly Oxtongue
- Broad-leaved HelleborineEpipactis helleborine
- HogweedHeracleum sphondylium
- Bristly OxtongueHelminthotheca echioides
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
70,924 records · National Biodiversity Network🐦Birds36 species
summerautumn
2026▾
Woodpigeon · Coot · Mallard · Black-headed Gull · Lesser Black-backed Gull +31
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
- CootFulica atra2025
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
- Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
- MagpiePica pica2025
- RedshankTringa totanus2025
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
- CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
- MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta2025
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
- Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2025
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
- Common GullLarus canus2025
- SwiftApus apus2025
- Great TitParus major
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
- TealAnas crecca2025
- Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferruginea2025
- ShelduckTadorna tadorna2025
- Tawny OwlStrix aluco2025
- Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
- JackdawColoeus monedula2025
- Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula2025
- Green SandpiperTringa ochropus2025
- BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
- CurlewNumenius arquata2025
- OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
- GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
- LapwingVanellus vanellus2025
- SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba2025
- Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
- RavenCorvus corax2025
🦌Mammals4 species
wintersummerautumn
2026▾
Mole · Harvest Mouse · Grey Squirrel · Common Shrew
- MoleTalpa europaea
- Harvest MouseMicromys minutus2025
- Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
- Common ShrewSorex araneus2025
🐸Amphibians2 species
springsummer
2026▾
Common Toad · Common Frog
- Common ToadBufo bufo
- Common FrogRana temporaria
Brimstone Moth · Large Yellow Underwing · Brick · Lesser Yellow Underwing · Large Wainscot +78
- Brimstone MothOpisthograptis luteolata
- Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronuba
- BrickSunira circellaris
- Lesser Yellow UnderwingNoctua comes
- Large WainscotRhizedra lutosa
- Common Marbled CarpetDysstroma truncata
- Light Emerald
🌿Plants3 species
summerwinter
2025▾
Broad-leaved Helleborine · Hogweed · Bristly Oxtongue
- Broad-leaved HelleborineEpipactis helleborine
- HogweedHeracleum sphondylium
- Bristly OxtongueHelminthotheca echioides
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Campaea margaritaria
Campaea margaritaria
Silver YAutographa gammaSilver YAutographa gammaSmall Fan-footed WaveIdaea biselataSmall Fan-footed WaveIdaea biselataSnoutHypena proboscidalisSnoutHypena proboscidalisYellow-tailEuproctis similisYellow-tailEuproctis similisStraw DotRivula sericealisStraw DotRivula sericealisWillow BeautyPeribatodes rhomboidariaWillow BeautyPeribatodes rhomboidariaCopper UnderwingAmphipyra pyramideaCopper UnderwingAmphipyra pyramideaRuby TigerPhragmatobia fuliginosaRuby TigerPhragmatobia fuliginosaCommon WainscotMythimna pallensCommon WainscotMythimna pallensMother of PearlPatania ruralisMother of PearlPatania ruralisDecember MothPoecilocampa populiDecember MothPoecilocampa populiWinter MothOperophtera brumataWinter MothOperophtera brumataRed-green CarpetChloroclysta siterataRed-green CarpetChloroclysta siterataBlack RusticAporophyla nigraBlack RusticAporophyla nigraLong-horned Flat-bodyCarcina quercanaLong-horned Flat-bodyCarcina quercanaMerveille du JourGriposia aprilinaMerveille du JourGriposia aprilinaFeathered ThornColotois pennariaFeathered ThornColotois pennariaPink-barred SallowXanthia togataPink-barred SallowXanthia togataBarred SallowTiliacea auragoBarred SallowTiliacea auragoBlair's Shoulder-knotLithophane leautieriBlair's Shoulder-knotLithophane leautieriNovember Moth agg.Epirrita dilutata agg.November Moth agg.Epirrita dilutata agg.Yellow-Line QuakerLeptologia macilentaYellow-Line QuakerLeptologia macilentaRed-Line QuakerLeptologia lotaRed-Line QuakerLeptologia lotaHarlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridisHarlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridisEngrailedEctropis crepusculariaEngrailedEctropis crepusculariaSquare-spot RusticXestia xanthographaSquare-spot RusticXestia xanthographaDasysyrphus tricinctusDasysyrphus tricinctusDasysyrphus tricinctusDasysyrphus tricinctusSmoky WainscotMythimna impuraSmoky WainscotMythimna impuraShaded Broad-barScotopteryx chenopodiataShaded Broad-barScotopteryx chenopodiataCommon Rustic agg.Mesapamea secalis agg.Common Rustic agg.Mesapamea secalis agg.SallowCirrhia icteritiaSallowCirrhia icteritiaFlame ShoulderOchropleura plectaFlame ShoulderOchropleura plectaOrange SwiftTriodia sylvinaOrange SwiftTriodia sylvinaDingy ShellEuchoeca nebulataDingy ShellEuchoeca nebulataDingy FootmanEilema griseolaDingy FootmanEilema griseolaFlame CarpetXanthorhoe designataFlame CarpetXanthorhoe designataSix-striped RusticXestia sexstrigataSix-striped RusticXestia sexstrigataSetaceous Hebrew CharacterXestia c-nigrumSetaceous Hebrew CharacterXestia c-nigrumShuttle-shaped DartAgrotis putaShuttle-shaped DartAgrotis putaPale ProminentPterostoma palpinaPale ProminentPterostoma palpinaMiddle-barred MinorOligia fasciunculaMiddle-barred MinorOligia fasciunculaCrescentHelotropha leucostigmaCrescentHelotropha leucostigmaSmall PhoenixEcliptopera silaceataSmall PhoenixEcliptopera silaceataCommon White WaveCabera pusariaCommon White WaveCabera pusariaLesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua jantheLesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua jantheDrinkerEuthrix potatoriaDrinkerEuthrix potatoriaViolet Ground BeetleCarabus violaceusViolet Ground BeetleCarabus violaceusWater ScorpionNepa cinereaWater ScorpionNepa cinereaHeart & DartAgrotis exclamationisHeart & DartAgrotis exclamationisDingy ShearsApterogenum ypsillonDingy ShearsApterogenum ypsillonBurnished BrassDiachrysia chrysitisBurnished BrassDiachrysia chrysitisCommon WaveCabera exanthemataCommon WaveCabera exanthemataLime Hawk-mothMimas tiliaeLime Hawk-mothMimas tiliaeMarbled MinorOligia strigilisMarbled MinorOligia strigilisDouble-striped PugGymnoscelis rufifasciataDouble-striped PugGymnoscelis rufifasciataDun-barCosmia trapezinaDun-barCosmia trapezinaClayMythimna ferragoClayMythimna ferragoElephant Hawk-mothDeilephila elpenorElephant Hawk-mothDeilephila elpenorMarbled BeautyBryophila domesticaMarbled BeautyBryophila domesticaCloaked MinorMesoligia furunculaCloaked MinorMesoligia furunculaPlemyria rubiginata plumbataPlemyria rubiginata plumbataPlemyria rubiginata plumbataPlemyria rubiginata plumbataGarden TigerArctia cajaGarden TigerArctia cajaDouble LobedLateroligia ophiogrammaDouble LobedLateroligia ophiogrammaSlender BrindleApamea scolopacinaSlender BrindleApamea scolopacinaSilky WainscotChilodes maritimaSilky WainscotChilodes maritimaSwallow-tailed MothOurapteryx sambucariaSwallow-tailed MothOurapteryx sambucariaCommon HeathEmaturga atomariaCommon HeathEmaturga atomariaSpectacleAbrostola tripartitaSpectacleAbrostola tripartitaLight ArchesApamea lithoxylaeaLight ArchesApamea lithoxylaeaPoplar Hawk-mothLaothoe populiPoplar Hawk-mothLaothoe populiSmall RivuletPerizoma alchemillataSmall RivuletPerizoma alchemillataGarden StrawAgapeta hamanaGarden StrawAgapeta hamanaCommon FootmanEilema lurideolaCommon FootmanEilema lurideolaPeppered MothBiston betulariaPeppered MothBiston betulariaFlameAxylia putrisFlameAxylia putrisOak NycteolineNycteola revayanaOak NycteolineNycteola revayana