Archaeological Surveys Ltd was commissioned in 2018 by Malmesbury History Society to undertake a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey at Malmesbury Abbey. The present abbey church dates from the 12thcentury, with later alterations; however, the founding of a hermitage and the establishment of the monastery dates back to the 7th century. A conference on William of Malmesbury in 2017 included speaker Professor Rod Thomson of the University of Tasmania, who outlined that there should be an Anglo-Saxon monastery complex that preceded the later Norman buildings and suggested that a survey be carried out in order to see if any traces of the original building survive.

The results of the survey are available below.

View the Malmesbury Abbey Geophys report. Or view images from the survey.

In summary a Group Penetrating Radar survey of Malmesbury Abbey was carried out in 2019. The area in the centre of the Cloister Gardens (right) showed most promise. We are hoping that future investigation will find evidence of the alignment of the Pre-Norman churches on the site as described by William of Malmesbury