The gatehouse is Perpendicular Gothic and was built late in the 15th century.

In 1537 the abbey was dissolved and the Crown granted its buildings and site to Richard Williams (alias Cromwell), who used most of the buildings as a surface quarry for the Barnack stone.

[1] The remainder of the gatehouse survives as a ruin at Ramsey.

In 1951 the Ministry of Works made the gatehouse a Grade I listed building.

[2] In 1952 Ailwyn Fellowes, 3rd Baron de Ramsey gave the gatehouse to the National Trust in memory of his sister Diana Broughton.