St John's Abbey, 33 St John's Green, Colchester, photographs taken before 2009

Details

Accessibility

"No parking on site but charged public parking, not managed by English Heritage, is available close by. The nearest are Napier Road North and St John's car parks.

Assistance dogs only are allowed in the interior."

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-johns-abbey-gate/ 

Brief description

"The two-storey gatehouse with its battlemented roof would have made a powerful statement about the strength of the abbey. It has turrets at each corner – higher on the north front – with large pinnacles. The north front is the most richly decorated, with flintwork panels and ornamented niches for statues.

The gatehouse is principally built of flint and brick with limestone dressings, though Roman and medieval brick has been used at the back of the building. It consists of a gate hall and a porter’s lodge. There is a pedestrian gate alongside the main carriage entrance.

Both carriageway and pedestrian access have ribbed stone vaulting springing from moulded corbels carved with human heads and lions. A doorway in the east wall gives access to the porter’s lodge, which is now roofless. A doorway in the west wall once led into a now-destroyed adjacent building; a blocked door in the south-west turret once connected this building with the upper room of the gatehouse.

The lower part of the structure is mostly original, including the elaborate vaulting. The upper chamber, northern facade and turrets were heavily restored in the mid 19th century, but are believed to be faithful copies of the original work."

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-johns-abbey-gate/history/ 

Address

33 St John's Green, Colchester CO2 7EZ

Email

Phone

Website

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John%27s_Abbey,_Colchester

Directions

"The easiest access for was via the pedestrian walkway at the south end of Abbey Gate Street. This takes you under the busy A34 (Southway) to St John's Green. Bear left around the south (top) end of the wide green and you will see the gatehouse come into view."

https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=3470#:~:text=Visiting%20St%20John's%20Gate&text=The%20easiest%20access%20for%20was,the%20gatehouse%20come%20into%20view. 

Opening Times

"The exterior can be viewed at any reasonable time during daylight hours. The interior is open occasionally for Heritage Open Days."

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-johns-abbey-gate/ 

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

Amenities

"There are no facilities on site but it is just south of Colchester town centre and close to Colchester Town railway station. There are toilets at the station."