Medieval Gatehouse

This gatehouse dates from the 12th and 14th centuries during the time when the land was occupied by Cistercian monks. It was used as a hospitium (guesthouse), giving alms and shelter to weary travellers and was the gateway to a secluded Cistercian society for 400 years. Charles 1, Queen Victoria and Jane Austen have also passed under its archways. It was gatehouse to the old Cistercian abbey which is no longer there, but which had its roof taken off for buildings elsewhere and slowly went into ruins, now only small bits remain.
Ahead is the Leigh mansion, dominated by the great Georgian West Wing built in the 1720, but glimpses of the Medieval buildings are still visible.