Interesting Features

Sacristy

The sacristry and its contents were the responsibility of the sacrist, one of the senior members of the abbey community.  The sacred vessels and ritual vestments used in the church services were stored here.

Slype or Parlour

Interior of slype from cloister to the monk's cemetery showing rib vaulting  © English Heritage The slype was a narrow passage with doors at either end, probably giving access to the canons' infirmary to the east of the cloister.  It may also have served as the parlour, where the canons could discuss important matters without breaking the cloister rule of silence.

Chapter House

The canons met in the Chapter House every morning, usually after Mass.  They listened as a chapter from the Rule of St Augustine was read, confessed their faults, and discussed abbey business. 

The surviving grave slabs are a reminder that the chapter house was often the place where abbots were buried.  More than 20 burials were discovered here in the late 19th century.

Cloister

The highly decorated Norman processional arch from the cloisters into the church © English Heritage On the south side of the church was a large open court or cloister, probably used as a garden.  It was surrounded by four covered walks linking the monastic buildings.  The elaborately carved doorway dates from the late 12th century. It was used by the canons to enter the church in formal processions.

Refectory

The canon's refectory was their dining room.  Bread and beer were the staple elements in the community's diet, but fish, eggs and vegetables were also eaten. Meals were taken in silence, apart from one of the brothers reading from the scriptures.

West Range

The buildings on the west side of the cloister seem to have been largely rebuilt in the 14th century, probably to improve the abbot's accommodation. His hall and private chamber may have been located at first-floor level.