The earliest parts of the gatehouse were built by around 1170,[1][5] as the main entrance of the monastic precinct,[6] giving access to its courtyard.

The similarities in the arcading, and in the two buildings' decorative patterns using a variety of motifs like chevron and nailhead, support the dating of the archways to about the same time as the chapter house, in the 12th century.

[2][6] These structures were restored by John Loughborough Pearson in 1888, who succeeded in retaining many of the features of their original design.

[2] Charles Holden's design in 1906 for the adjoining Central Bristol Library building echoed many features of the gatehouse.

The library has tall oriels with mullions and transoms, a round entrance arch and other decorations in the Tudor revival style.

[3][4] Charles Pibworth, the Bristolian sculptor who created the relief figures on the north front of the library,[14] also carved the statues of four abbots on the south side of the gatehouse, placed there in 1914.