Two properties form part of a complex of buildings; that on the west side is now called Priory Cottage and that on the east side Priory House. Priory Cottage, at that time sub divided into six cottages, was acquired by the National Trust in 1939 and restored after the Second World War. Visitors are now able to visit the contained original hall by appointment. The eastern half of the building is privately owned.
King Henry I granted the Manor of Steventon to the Priory of St Mary of Pre at Rouen, France in 1121. For many years it was believed that these buildings were a grange formed to administer this estate and were known as The Priory. The expert view now is that the documented original Priory grange building sits beneath the early Georgian Manor Farm directly opposite the church and that these modelled buildings were developed as a great ‘peasant’ farmhouse in medieval times.
Roye England decided which examples of Steventon's buildings were to be represented at Pendon and The Priory, rich in both architectural and social history, was one of these. He set it with other examples of medieval buildings and it was one of the last Pendon models he made.
