the standing remains of the abbey include part of the church and claustral buildings, as well as a watermill. the lordship of east witton, with the site of the abbey, was granted by henry viii to matthew stuart, 4th earl of lennox, and margaret, his wife, the king's niece, and after passing through various hands, the property came into the possession of the bruce family, one of whom was created earl of ailesbury in 1805. the estate was purchased from the trustees of ernest brudenell-bruce, 3rd marquess of ailesbury, in 1887, by s. cunliffe lister, esq. of swinton park, for £310,000.