Greyfriars, Gloucester — Medieval Friary Ruins

A Franciscan Friary Hidden Behind the City Streets

Behind Southgate Street in Gloucester, Greyfriars preserves the core remains of a medieval Franciscan friary.
Built in the 1200s, it served as a place of worship, community service, and religious study.
Today, the ruins stand in a quiet open space just steps from the modern city.

It’s a simple historic site with strong medieval character.

A 13th-Century Franciscan Foundation

The friary was founded by the Franciscan order during the 13th century.
Its church, cloister, and living spaces once formed a large religious complex.
Therefore, Greyfriars reflects the Franciscan role in medieval urban life.

Historic records mention:

Preaching and teaching

Provision for the poor

Prayer and study

Strong links to the city community

In addition, the friary was supported by local benefactors.

Greyfriars After the Dissolution

In the 1530s, Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries.
Greyfriars was closed, its assets taken, and its buildings reused.
However, parts of the church survived and remain visible today.

Sections that still stand include:

Tall nave walls

Window openings

Stone arcades

Traces of the cloister range

Moreover, later development shaped the site around the surviving ruins.

Exploring Greyfriars
1. Surviving Church Structure

The most visible remains are from the friary church.
Stone walls and high openings reveal its medieval layout.
In addition, the long footprint shows the scale of the original building.

2. Cloister Fragments

Low walls and structural traces suggest the position of the cloister.
This space once connected living, prayer, and working areas.
Furthermore, the fragments help explain how friars moved around the site.

3. Quiet Space in the City

Although close to Southgate Street, the ruins feel calm and sheltered.
Visitors can walk through the grounds, examine the stonework, and enjoy a peaceful pause.
The contrast between medieval remains and modern buildings highlights the site’s long story.

(Learn more at the English Heritage website)

Location and Surroundings

Greyfriars sits close to other historic areas of Gloucester.
Visitors often link the ruins with:

Gloucester Cathedral

St Michael’s Tower

Blackfriars Priory

Walks around the docks and historic quays

Visiting Greyfriars, Gloucester
How to Get There

Location: Off Southgate Street, Gloucester city centre

Parking: City centre car parks nearby

Train: Gloucester Station (short walk)

Bus: Regular services to the city centre

Opening Hours & Admission

Open space with free access

Viewable from the surrounding footpaths

Facilities

No café or toilets on site

Shops and restaurants nearby

Interpretation information online

Nearby Attractions

Gloucester Cathedral — Major medieval church

Blackfriars Priory — Restored Dominican friary

Gloucester Docks — Historic waterfront

Museum of Gloucester — Local heritage collections

Together, these form the Gloucester Medieval & Monastic Trail.

Why Visit Greyfriars?

The Greyfriars experience offers:

Medieval friary ruins

Central location

Quiet open space

Clear surviving church structure

Whether you enjoy monastic sites, medieval history, or urban archaeology, Greyfriars provides a short but meaningful visit.
It’s not just a ruin — it’s a reminder of centuries of Franciscan life in the heart of Gloucester.