Porter's Lodge
The Porter’s Lodge part of the Abbey ruins is located on the edge of the West
Green overlooking the Abbey and was the gatehouse and main entrance to the Abbey
precinct. Important visitors will have passed through here and the local poor
people would have gathered outside the gates waiting for free food from the monks
(alms for the poor).
Today Porter’s Lodge ruins house a new contemporary building, opened in May 2008,
providing exhibition space for the interpretation of the history of the Abbey
and monks’ lives.
The new centre is a simple but contemporary construction within the walls of
and therefore screened by Porter’s Lodge historic structure. Although situated
in the historical core of the estate in an area of archaeological importance,
it blends into its surroundings sensitively without interrupting the tranquillity
of the valley and strives to employ maximum use of natural light and ventilation.
The location of the gatehouse provides a unique opportunity for the new facility: It
is accessible to all on the main visitor route and will be greatly enhanced by
being linked to actual views of the Abbey and its surroundings. The permanent,
lively and interactive exhibition of medieval life on the estate will be an easily
accessible experience for visitors of all ages which will really bring the Abbey
to life.
The imaginative and inspirational exhibits include sections on medieval beliefs
and the popularity of religious ideals, how the impressive Abbey was built by
skilled craftsmen and how the monks spent their time each day, as well as some
tactile and interactive elements.
Approximately up to 20 people will be able to view the exhibition at a time,
which will provide innovative explanation of the history of the Abbey from its
inception in the 12th Century to the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII
in 1539.
Funding for the project has come from the European Union Interreg NWE Converting Sacred Spaces programme.
