Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse

Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse is the ornately carved remnant of a Benedictine abbey, founded in 969 on what was then an island in the Fens and dissolved in 1539. What stands today is the gatehouse lodge of around 1475, with a fine oriel window; the rest was dismantled by the Cromwell family and re-erected at the entrance to Hinchingbrooke House in Huntingdon, and much of the abbey's stone went to build Cambridge colleges. A stone figure on display was long taken to depict Ailwyn, who gave the land for the abbey, though the Trust notes the attribution is probably not authentic. Given to the National Trust in 1952 in memory of Diana Broughton, the gatehouse stands in school grounds, so the public can go inside only on occasional open days, and only assistance dogs are admitted. Reviewers call the carved stonework impressive and photogenic, though several found the gates locked and could only admire it from outside. One tip from visitors: check the Trust's open days before setting out.