Clifford Priory, Herefordshire

HEREFORDSHIRE - For the erection and completion of a new residence and offices, for B. Haigh Allan. Esq. at Clifford Priory, Herefordshire, within two miles of the market town of Hay. Plans. etc., with Stevens and Robinson, architects, 17, Tenant- street, Derby, to whom tenders (according to form) on or before the 1st Feb. [Building News 24 January 1862 page 64]

Clifford Priory was a Cluniac establishment founded in the early 12th century and dissolved in the early 16th century. Following the acquisition of the estate about 1861 Benjamin Haigh Allen built a new house overlooking the remains of the old monastic buildings, set in ornamental grounds. The house burnt down in September 1931, but the planting survives.

Benjamin Haigh Allen, JP DL (1812-1902) one-time High Sheriff of Hereford came from a prominent family in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He purchased the Priory estate about 1861 and died at Hove in 1902, after which his daughter, Katie and her husband the Rev Gerald Leigh Spencer MA, took up residence and there remained until 1917.

Reference           Building News 24 January 1862