Titchfield Abbey is an English Heritage property, located by Titchfield near Fareham, Hampshire, England.

Premonstratensian canons founded the abbey in the 12th century, dominating the village of Titchfield and its surroundings for 300 years. Henry VIII dissolved the abbey in the 16th century, giving the property to a favoured politician, Thomas Wriothesley who turned it into "Place House" and took the title Earl of Southampton. Charles I was captured here before being held in Carisbrooke Castle. Shakespeare was a close friend of Henry Wriothesley, the 3rd Earl and certainly visited; it is believed that some sonnets were written for him.

When Place House fell into disrepair, local people took materials for their houses; look for evidence in walls and foundations. Much though is inside the buildings; in The Bugle Hotel, in Titchfield for example, you can see a big fireplace with a stone beam of ecclesiastical design.

It was largely demolished in the 18th century. The grand Tudor gatehouse now dominates the impressive remains.

Famous guests

The Abbey's location near Southampton and Portsmouth made it a convenient stopping place for journeys to the continent. Royal visitors included Edward VI, Elizabeth I and Charles I. The marriage of Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou was celebrated here in 1445. This marriage was arranged to confirm a truce between France and England during the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453). Margaret indirectly ruled the country through her weak Husband and later became involved in the armed struggle for her Son's succession to the Crown, a struggle that we now call the War of the Roses.

Trivia

• It is claimed that some of Shakespeare's plays, including Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream were first performed here.
• The property is home to concerts, including folk and blues festivals and open-air theatre.