Great Gatehouse, Bristol

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Great Gatehouse

Great Gatehouse, also known as the Abbey Gatehouse, is on the south side of College Green in Bristol, England. It dates from about 1170 and was the main entrance to St Augustine's Abbey, the forerunner of Bristol Cathedral. The gatehouse sits to the cathedral’s west, and to its west is the Bristol Central Library, whose design echoes the gatehouse.

Its architecture features two late Norman archways forming the carriage gateway, a smaller postern gate, and a surrounding tower. The gatehouse and its tower were added around 1500 by Abbot John Newland. Inside, there is a ribbed vault and walls with intricate interlaced arcading and pointed arches, similar to Bristol Cathedral’s chapter house. The southern archway is especially elaborate.

In the 19th century there was debate about whether the arches were rebuilt, but many experts believe they are original. The gatehouse was restored in 1888 by John Loughborough Pearson, who kept its original features, including the two-storey oriels and statues.

The abbey was dissolved in 1542, becoming Bristol Cathedral. A deanery built next to the gatehouse was later demolished and replaced by the Central Library in 1906. The library’s Tudor Revival style, with tall oriels and a round entrance arch, echoes the gatehouse. Sculptor Charles Pibworth carved four abbots on the gatehouse in 1914. The Gatehouse is a Grade I listed building.