The existing Abbey is the remains of a larger building, and it is believed there was church here as long ago as 689 A.D. In the south quire aisle floor there is an exposed area of foundation of the Saxon church. The current building probably dates from around 1090 onwards. In 1288 there was a fire which caused much damage, and the chancel was rebuilt shortly afterwards. The Abbey was dissolved in 1539 and the nave was pulled down. The north transept collapsed in the 17th century and the crossing tower was shored up on that side. There were further alterations in the 19th century when the eastern apse was built. The south transept contains the oldest work, and there was once a cloisters and Monk's lodgings to the south. The Abbey now consists of north and south transepts, crossing tower, chancel with quire aisles and eastern apse. There are chapels to the north east and the south east. Nothing of the original nave remains except the two eastern piers which are incorporated into butressing.

The crossing tower dates from the early 14th century. The large buttresses were added in 1913 when cracking was found. The tower is of four stages with four octagonal pinnacles with crockets. The former roof lines can be seen on the sides of the tower. Inside, an unusual bellringing platform high above the ground was inserted by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 19th century. The chancel is of four bays with piers dating from the early 13th century. Above this are clerestory windows with the ceiling having vaulting and fine roof bosses dating from the late 13th century.

There are several effigies and monuments in the Abbey, including a cross-legged Knight from the 13th century. The font is Norman and was restored in 1921. It depicts Christ and the Apostles under intersecting arches. The south-east chapel has mediaeval floor tiles. There are several stained-glass windows by various makers including Kempe.