Prittlewell Priory

51°33′11″N 0°42′18″E / 51.553°N 0.705°E / 51.553; 0.705 Prittlewell Priory is a medieval priory in the Prittlewell area of Southend, Essex, England. It was founded in the 12th century, by monks from the Cluniac Priory of St Pancras in Lewes, East Sussex, and passed into private hands at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. Southend jeweller and philanthropist R. A. Jones, purchased the Priory from the Scratton family and donated the priory and the grounds to the local council to form a public park. The grounds were opened as a public park, Priory Park, and the Grade I listed building is open to the public as a museum, the first museum opened in Southend. The remains of the priory are a scheduled monument.