St John's Abbey Gate Open House
St John's Abbey Green, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7EZ
This elaborate 15th-century gatehouse is all that remains standing of the Benedictine abbey of St John the Baptist that stood outside the walled town of Colchester. The extent of the abbey is still defined by the much-repaired precinct wall, and the gatehouse stands at the centre of the northern boundary. he abbey was founded in 1095 by Eudo Dapifer, William the Conqueror’s High Steward and Constable of Colchester Castle. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, perhaps as a result of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, the abbey strengthened its defences and the gatehouse was added as part of this revamping around 1400. St John’s was one of a handful of abbeys that refused to surrender to Henry VIII’s Commissioners during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, succumbing only after the execution of the abbot for treason. The property was eventually acquired by the Lucas family, who converted some of the abbey buildings into a house. It remained their family seat until the mid 17th century, and was the birthplace of the writer and natural philosopher Margaret Cavendish, née Lucas, in 1623. The site was used to house Dutch prisoners in the 1660s, after which the remaining abbey buildings appear to have been demolished. There are no references to occupation after the mid 18th century.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- 10am to 4pm
- Saturday 20 September:
- 10am to 4pm
Location & directions
St John's Abbey Green, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7EZ
- Directions:
- 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.
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
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.
Additional information
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s)
