The GREAT CHURCHYARD was probably created between 1120 and 1148 although it is likely that the area covered by the churchyard was used for housing and commerce as early as the 8th century.

The churchyard was not the monastic cemetery, as a 15th century source shows that this lay at the east end of the abbey church. For much of its history the churchyard was a lively place for meeting and socialising; it was closed for burials in 1854.