Curfew Tower (Barking Abbey)
Broadway
Barking
Essex , IG11 8AS
Curfew Tower is the biggest remaining part of Barking Abbey and was built in 1460, but the upper story chapel is built of 12th or 13th century stone. The Tower is the entrance to St Margaret’s churchyard and is listed as a Grade II building. Only the ruins of the former great Abbey of Barking exist today. Some of the remains of the original building have recently been discovered. Jewellery, carved bone, pottery, gold thread and glassmaking have made Barking Abbey one of the most important archaeological and religious sites in Europe. The original building was destroyed in 870 by the Vikings after being built in 666. The site of the Abbey was used as a quarry and farm for around 400 years. In 1911 excavation began, and was carried out between the Town Council and the Morant Club. The remains of the church have been left exposed, and in 1975 St Margaret’s churchyard was opened as a conservation area.
Map
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020 8592 4500
