CONISHEAD PRIORY, or Coningshead, the seat of the Braddyll family, in Lancashire; on the W side of Morecambe bay, 2 miles SSE of Ulverstone. A priory of black canons was founded here, in the time of Henry II., by William de Lancaster, baron of Kendal; and went, after the dissolution, to the Braddylls. The present mansion, on the site of the priory, was recently rebuilt, in room of a very fine previous one; is a magnificent edifice, in the pointed style, with an entrance hall 61 feet long, 23 wide, and 40 high, and cloisters and arched passages, 177 feet long, 19¼ wide, and 17¼ high; and Contains a rich variety of pictures and other works of art. The grounds around it include a conservatory, three gardens, a rural temple, and splendid terraces: and command brilliant and extensive views.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))