Hailes Abbey in dark Tudor clothing can be seen. Hailes Abbey Hailes Abbey is two miles northeast of Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England. Originally built in 1246 little remains of the abbey. The abbey is owned by the National Trust but financed and managed by English Heritage. The abbey was founded in 1246 by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, called "King of the Romans" and the younger brother of King Henry III of England. Richard founded the abbey to thank God after he had survived a shipwreck. Richard had been granted the manor of Hailes by King Henry, and settled it with Cistercian monks from
Sudeley Castle to the public. It took two years to convert the home into a tourist attraction, but Mark died in 1972, leaving a large amount of both debts and death duties. Lady Ashcombe married Baron Ashcombe, and the couple made major renovations. Lady Ashcombe and her children have since taken over the management of the castle as a visitor attraction. BBC Four featured an investigation into the castle on 27 June 2007 titled "Crisis At The Castle". This detailed the turmoil associated with managing the castle within three sets of owners and their families. Closing the castle to the general public