Bridlington Priory South Side

Just past the first doorway is to be seen a recess which suggests that it might have contained a cupboard in which the monks placed their books while walking in the cloister.

Higher up on the wall can be seen stone corbels upon which rested the timbers for the roof of the
North side of the cloister arcading. Reconstructed remains of the cloister arcading are to be seen inside the Priory.
At the western end of the cloister will be seen the doorway leading to the South aisle. This beautiful doorway, similar in detail to the one at the eastern end of the cloister, possesses slender shafts and finely carved capitals. Note also the small door at right angles. Behind this are the remains of a stone staircase leading from the cloister to the Friar's Lodging. Passing this large buttress which encloses the Prior's private staircase it will be noticed that no windows pierce the wall between the buttress and the Tower. The reason for this is that the Prior's Lodging was built against this wall, and the outline of the original fireplace is still discernible. On the lower part of the wall can be seen the line of the arches of the vaulting of the undercroft or cellar of the Lodging and nearby are the bases of the columns from which sprang the stone ribs of the vaulting.

Looking upwards towards the Nave can be seen the magnificent windows of clerestory, all of which, with the exception of the three windows in the Perpendicular style near to the Tower, are in the Decorated style, as are the windows in the South aisle. The parapet mouldings and decoration are the same in character as on the North side of the Nave.

The foundations of this tower rest upon the foundation of the Norman Church, and original stonework of this period can be seen projecting just above ground level.
The South West Tower is Perpendicular throughout, and reaches a height of 150 feet. The small ogee-headed doorway, the four-centred window above, and the windows of the other two storeys are perfect in their proportions. The top storey, which houses a ring of eight bells, was added during the nineteenth century restoration (as was the top storey of the N.W. tower). This tower, with its panelled walls, panelled and gables buttresses, surmounted by its embattled parapet, spirelets. octagonal-spired pinnacles richly crocketed, stands sentinel over the Town with a majesty and beauty unsurpassed. It provides the highest vantage point from which can be seen the line sweep of the Bay.

These two towers, belonging to periods of architecture so distinct. are united by a perfect example of a window in the Perpendicular style. This Great West Window, measuring 55 feet by 27 feet is considered to be the largest West Window in the North of England. A unique feature of its construction is that the whole of the window above the transom is set back nine inches.

Immediately below is the lovely doorway which is a treasure from a bygone age. Its ogee-head, beautifully crocketed, with richly carved niche: superb finial; lovely foliage capitals; the niches in the jambs of deep set mouldings decorated with grapes, acorns and olives; the fierce looking animals springing from the ends of the hood, which terminates in panelled pilasters with crocketed pinnacles, make this doorway truly queenly in its magnificence. On each side of the doorway and continued to the outer buttress to the South are canopied niches with empty pedestals which seem to await the completing presence of carved statues.