North Precinct Wall

The North Precinct Wall forms part of the boundary wall of the former Abbey of St Peter, situated on the south side of Pitt Street in Gloucester. The wall originally dates back to the 12th century. The eastern half was raised and altered around 1535 for Abbot Parker, serving as the north wall for a long first-floor gallery that connected to the Abbot's House. Following 1540, it became part of the Bishop’s Palace, most of which was demolished in the mid-19th century. The wall has undergone repairs at various times since.

The wall is constructed from rubble, ashlar, and brick. The north-facing exterior displays weathered coping along its length. A prominent 19th-century buttress is situated at the left-hand end near the entrance to the King's School. Above, at the former first-floor level of the 16th-century gallery, is a four-light window with stone mullions and Tudor-arched lights within a moulded stone frame and an eared hoodmould. To the right of this is a late 16th or early 17th century two-light stone-mullioned window. An oriel window with four lights to the front and canted single side-lights is supported by steeply raked corbelling courses of ashlar. The window features stone mullions, Tudor arches, a moulded stone sill, and a low buttress at the base, strengthening the wall. To the right of the oriel are a later 16th century two-light window and a three-light window with arched lights, both sharing similar detailing. The end of the former gallery is marked by a reduction in wall height, which then continues to the north-west corner of the precinct, returning along the west flank facing St Mary’s Street. The wall is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument.