Grade I listed · Somerset

Abbey Church and Minor Basilica of St Gregory the Great and the north cloister, Downside Abbey

Abbey Church and Minor Basilica of St Gregory the Great and the north cloister, Downside Abbey is a Grade I listed building in Somerset, first listed on 25 June 1986. It is one of 307 Grade I entries among 11,742 listed buildings in Somerset; 75% of Somerset’s current entries were listed before it.

List entry
FieldValue
NameAbbey Church and Minor Basilica of St Gregory the Great and the north cloister, Downside Abbey
GradeGrade I — exceptional interest
List entry number1058633
Date first listed25 June 1986
Local planning authoritySomerset
Location51.25568, -2.49562 (map)
Official recordHistoric England list entry 1058633

Planning works on this listed building?

Planium checks which consents Somerset will require for your works on Abbey Church and Minor Basilica of St Gregory the Great and the north cloister, Downside Abbey, lists what the heritage statement must cover and drafts the application text.

Ask Planium what consent you need

What the grade means for works

Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest — only about 2.5% of listed buildings in England. Any application for listed building consent is notified to Historic England, and alterations are scrutinised closely.

The protection covers the whole building, inside and out, plus fixtures and attached structures. Typical works that need consent: replacing windows or doors, removing walls or historic fabric, changing roof coverings, installing solar panels or external insulation, and adding extensions.

Listed buildings near Abbey Church and Minor Basilica of St Gregory the Great and the north cloister, Downside Abbey

NameGradeDistance
Monastery of St Gregory the Great, with west, south and east cloister ranges, Downside AbbeyII*42 m
Downside Abbey LibraryII62 m
The Ball Place at Downside SchoolII117 m
Downside SchoolII*135 m
Grecian Lodge and gatepiers, Downside AbbeyII261 m
Roman Catholic Church of St Benedict, attached school room, boundary walls and lychgate, Downside AbbeyII278 m
War Memorial on RoadsideII282 m
The King'S ArmsII290 m
Downside School War MemorialII290 m
The Manor House, Forecourt Wall, Gatepiers and GateII391 m

Frequently asked questions

Is Abbey Church and Minor Basilica of St Gregory the Great and the north cloister, Downside Abbey listed?
Yes. Abbey Church and Minor Basilica of St Gregory the Great and the north cloister, Downside Abbey is on the National Heritage List for England as a Grade I listed building, list entry number 1058633, first listed on 25 June 1986. The full list entry with its description and map is on Historic England’s website.
Do I need consent for works to Abbey Church and Minor Basilica of St Gregory the Great and the north cloister, Downside Abbey?
Works that affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest — inside or out — need listed building consent from Somerset, in addition to any planning permission or building regulations approval. Like-for-like repairs often do not, but confirm with the council’s conservation officer before you start.
Source: National Heritage List for England, © Historic England 2026, via planning.data.gov.uk. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Retrieved 12 October 2026. Local authority assigned from the list entry point. This page is a summary — the legal record is the official list entry.