Abington Abbey (Museum)

Abington Abbey, now a museum, is a Grade I listed building that has been known as an abbey since 1841. It was originally constructed in the early 16th century with a hollow quadrangular plan and underwent significant alterations and rebuilding between 1675 and 1678. The building was refronted on the south and east sides around 1740, with rainwater heads on the south dated 1743. The 18th-century work is attributed to Smith of Warwick. The facades are made of ashlar stone and the building consists of two storeys and attics, featuring a first-floor band, cornice, parapet, and dormers. The south side has a projecting center and ends, with a pattern of sash windows arranged as 1:4:1:4:1, all set in eared architraves. The central doorway has a round arch framed by rusticated Doric pilasters beneath an entablature. The east elevation features a projecting pedimented center topped with a cupola, with a window arrangement of 4:3:4 sash windows. Its central doorway is adorned with an entablature, segmental pediment, pilasters, and a round arch.

Inside, the building boasts many significant features, including a four-bay framed roof in the hall with tall mullioned windows, a ground floor room with linen-fold paneling, and fine plaster ceilings. The main staircase from the 17th century includes newel posts and turned balusters, while a secondary staircase from the 18th century is also present. The interior features plaster vaults in a Gothic style, dating from the later 18th century.

Abington Abbey is part of a group that includes the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Abington Abbey, and The Cottage on Christchurch Road.