Netley Abbey was built in 1200's and was a lovely Abbey with a big church. Henry the VIII had it decommissioned in 1536 and gave it to a friend and politician who turned it into a mansion.
In 1704 the new owners decided that it was an unfashionable house and had it pulled apart to use as building materials. Luckily for us (not so for the poor chap) but a worker was killed during the recovery and all work was halted.
It is now a `romantic ruin' with the shell of the building and the church providing a very photogenic location. Jane Austen visited and Netley Abbey is said to be the setting of Northanger Abbey.
If you get down to Southampton - make the effort to visit Netley Abbey - we loved it - moody, quiet and just so picturesque.
