Lilleshall Abbey was founded around 1148 for a community of Augustinian canons. Throughout the 13th century, it thrived with various streams of income, including from farming, two watermills, property investments, as well as from tolls for the use of the Atcham Bridge over the river Severn. However, during the 14th century it struggled financially and was eventually dissolved in 1538, as part of the Suppression of the Monasteries.  

In 1645, the former abbey buildings were badly damaged as the result of a siege by Parliamentarian soldiers, during the English Civil War. The abandoned ruins came into state care in 1950 and the site is now managed by English Heritage.