Unusually, the extension to the tower sits at a 45-degree angle to the base on which it rests,[4] a feature believed to be unique in England.

[6] The prior, Richard Preston, had not thrown in his lot with resistance, but had fled to the Crown forces under Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby.

With the failure of the rising, as in other similar cases there came a brutal end for some, the subprior and several of the canons being hanged, along with ten villagers who had supported them.

[1] The priory's ancient responsibility for providing a Guide over Cartmel Sands was transferred to the Duchy of Lancaster.

[8] The Dissolution commissioners had instructions to "pull down to the ground all the walls of the churches, stepulls, cloysters, fraterys, dorters, chapter howsys"[9] and all the rest.

[1] Despite the villagers' being allowed to keep the church, the lead was stripped from the nave, and until 1618[10] when George Preston, a landowner at nearby Holker Hall, provided considerable finances to allow the roof to be reinstated, the villagers actually worshipped in the choir, rather than the nave of the church.

In 1850 a new panelled ceiling was inserted in the central part of the church, forming the belfry floor.

[13] The restoration was described in the Westmorland Gazette of 28 September 1867[14] The old seats and galleries have been removed from the nave and transepts, which have been reseated with new benches of oak.

The ancient massive open timbered roof of oak, which for centuries has been hid behind a plastered ceiling, has been uncovered and restored.

The pulpit is of octagonal design, supported by marble shafts, on three sides are moulded panels containing carved heads representing our Saviour, St. Peter, and St. Paul.

Arrangements having been made by Mr. Jardine for the attendance of Mr. Joule and his choir of St. Peter’s; but the Bishop has so strong an objection to musical services, and such strong fears of its effects on worshippers, that out of deference to his opinion the people of Cartmel were deprived of what would certainly have been, and what they had long been anticipating as a good treat.