The gateway adjoins Reading Crown Court and Forbury Gardens and is one of only two abbey buildings that have survived intact, the other being the Hospitium of St John the Baptist.

It is a grade I listed building, and includes a porters lodge on the ground floor and a large open room above the gate.

In the late 18th century one of them was home to the Reading Ladies’ Boarding School, attended amongst others by the novelist Jane Austen.

The room above the gateway is now used by Reading Museum as part of its learning programme for local schools, whilst the arch below is available for use by pedestrian and cycle traffic.

The Reading Half Marathon, held every year in March or April, passes under the gateway at around the 7 miles (11 km) stage.