The abbey was founded in 597 by St Augustine. Significant ruins remain from the large abbey church from the Romanesque period which replaced the Saxon buildings. Here you will also find remains of Saxon tombs and, to the east, St Pancras Church, a former pagan temple which was converted into a church by Christians. The abbey was dissolved in 1538 and the church demolished. What remains of the abbey is now occupied by St Augustine's College. The main gate from the early 14C is of particular interest.