St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury

Ruined monastery founded soon after Augustine’s mission and a key component of Canterbury’s World Heritage Site. The site is in Canterbury, Kent, England. The abbey was founded in 598 following Augustine’s mission.

It became an important burial and monastic centre before its dissolution in the sixteenth century. Augustine’s mission to the kingdom of Kent led to the foundation of the monastery in 598. It became a burial place for early archbishops and Kentish kings and developed into one of medieval England’s important monastic centres of learning and worship.

The abbey was suppressed in 1538, leaving extensive ruins now cared for by English Heritage. Together with Canterbury Cathedral and St Martin’s Church, the site forms part of the Canterbury UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its recognised heritage context is: Part of the Canterbury UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Its sacred history is now read largely through ruins, archaeology and landscape rather than through a resident religious community. Current access arrangements should be checked with the body responsible for the site.