uildwas Abbey was founded in 1135 by Roger de Clinton, the Bishop of Coventry. The founding order of the abbey was the Savignic order from Furness, but in 1147 the order merged with the much bigger Cistercian order. Much of the church still remains and over time parts have been incorporated for other uses. Buildwas has no daughter abbeys, but was given responsibility for Basingwerk (1157) and St. Mary's in Dublin (1166). Unusually, the cloister is positioned to the north of the main church due possibly for better access to drainage. The Chapter House is well preserved, consisting of four columns and rib vaulted ceiling. (See badly scanned photograph on the left). The nave of the church dates back to around 1150 and unusually had no main west door. Buildwas is under the care of English Heritage and is open to the public.