Abbey Precinct Wall

The Abbey Precinct Wall is an important historical structure dating from the early medieval period, with significant sections built around 1374, along with later additions and alterations. This impressive 20-foot high wall is constructed from Kentish Ragstone rubble, featuring ashlar stone below the high tide level along the former riverfront, and is topped with weathered brick coping.

The wall extends eastward from the left side of the ground floor of No. 30 Great College Street, standing free along the south and east sides of the Abbey or Canons' Garden. A notable re-entrant opposite the Jewel Tower was built around 1374-76 and is integrated into No. 4 and the otherwise post-war rebuilt No. 3 Little Cloisters. The original wall continues westward to the south of the Chapter House, where it is incorporated into the back north elevation of Nos. 2, 2A, 2B, and No. 3 Little Cloisters, alongside a rebuilt octagonal stone tower at the rear of No. 1.

On Great College Street, the wall features late medieval five-centred arched doorways, as well as later 18th and 19th-century square-headed doorways that have been inserted.