Name: Kingswood Abbey Gatehouse
Rating: 5.0

Kingswood Abbey Gatehouse

Abbey Street, Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 8RA, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Kingswood Abbey Gatehouse The little Cotswold village of Kingswood, near Wotton-under-Edge, was once the site of an important Cistercian abbey. Today, all that survives of the abbey is the fine 15th-century gatehouse that once controlled access to the monastery.

It was one of the last monastic buildings to be constructed in England, not long before the Suppression of the Monasteries. Two storeys high, the gatehouse now straddles a road in the village, and above the central arch is a richly sculpted window.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Kingswood Abbey Gatehouse: This fine late medieval gatehouse once led into an important abbey, founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century. The abbey was closed in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and now only the gatehouse survives. Two storeys high, it is decorated with some remarkable sculpture.
History of the abbey: In 1139 William of Berkeley, whose family was rising to prominence in Gloucestershire, persuaded Cistercian monks from Tintern Abbey to found a community at Kingswood. The site of this first abbey is popularly believed to be Abbey Farm, but there is little evidence to support this claim.
Description of the gatehouse: All that now remains of the abbey is the impressive late medieval gatehouse. It is built of ashlar (square-cut stone) with a Cotswold stone-tile roof and has two entrances, one for wheeled traffic and the other for pedestrians. The front walls of the cottages on either side of the gatehouse once formed a precinct wall separating the monastery from the village. Visitors including poor people seeking food and money would have gathered here on certain days of the year.
Dating the gatehouse: The dating of this striking gatehouse is not absolutely clear. Much of it dates to the mid-15th century – timbers from the roof of the building were dated by tree-ring dating to about 1441–66. This may well be the date of the sculptural decoration too.
Further reading: Arnold, AJ, Howard, RE and Litton, CD, ‘Tree-ring analysis of timbers from Kingswood Abbey Gatehouse, Kingswood, Gloucestershire’ (unpublished English Heritage Centre for Archaeology report, 2003; accessed 26 Feb 2018)

Facilities

Parking: There is limited street parking nearby within walking distance of the gatehouse.
Food & Drinks: At the Lower Schoolroom, there is a community cafe.
Toilets: At the Lower Schoolroom, there is toilet facilities.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kingswood-abbey-gatehouse/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Exterior viewing any reasonable daylight hours.
The interior is open Tuesday 2pm- 5pm and Friday 10am- 1pm

Address: Abbey Street, Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 8RA, UK

Post Code: GL12 8RA

Council: Stroud

County: Gloucestershire

Road Access: In Kingswood, off B4060; 1 mile south west of Wotton-under-Edge.
Bus Access: First 311; Wessex 84 & 626; Mikes Travel 201.
Train Access: Yate 8 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is limited street parking nearby within walking distance of the gatehouse.