Visited February 2024

Location	Kingswood, Gloucestershire
Entrance Fee	No
Railway Station Nearby	No
Parking	Roadside
Facilities	None
Map

Review

Kingswood is a town in Gloucestershire, not far from Stroud. With a population of approx. 1,400, it is not exactly prominent. Yet it is here that you will find the remains of what was once a large and important Cistercian abbey.

Founded in the 1160s by the Berkeley family of nearby Berkeley Castle, it was in use until 1538, when it was closed and the min buildings demolished. What is left today is the stunning gatehouse, which is looked after by English Heritage.

The cottages that currently exist to the side of the gateway were built after the dissolution of the abbey into what was once a boundary wall separating the abbey from the rest of the village, making the gateway the entrance point to the abbey buildings.

The gatehouse would have been the place where the poor would have called to ask for food and shelter. It had a pedestrian entrance to the side, and one large gateway in the middle which would have been used for carts and deliveries

The gatehouse as it exists today still retains some interesting features, such as the niche to the front which would have once contained a statue of the Virgin Mary, a carving of an angel holding a shield, and on top there is a carving of the Crucifixion.

There are also some fine ceiling bosses in the gatehouse passage, some of which are Tudor roses: which is odd given that the Monastery was closed during Tudor times. These were either fitted at the very beginning of the Tudor period, or are later additions.

The site today is not very big so it would only need to be a short visit if you are passing. You could combine a quick cultural stop off here with a visit to nearby Newark Park, which is a National Trust property with large grounds for kids to run around in and a cafe/toilets. There is also a woodland play area which would probably be more attractive to young children.

More info:  English Heritage Kingswood Abbey Gatehouse