The Clock of the Abbey, with unusual markings - instead of '10' being 'X' as is defined in Roman Numerals, 'f' is used. 9 is 'if', 10 simply 'f' and 11 'fi'
The Abbey is located to the east of the town centre, near to the English Bridge, surrounded by a triangular area which is today referred to as Abbey Foregate. A large amount of the monastery was destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, but a number of buildings, including the church were left intact. Thomas Telford built his A5 road through the remaining part of the Abbey and now only part of the original abbey church is still in existence, which is still used today as a place of worship. The old refectory pulpit is still visible across the road from the church and a single wall of an abbey building, now an integral part of another building, remains.
It is now famous for its prominent role in the "Cadfael" mysteries by Ellis Peters.
The road that passes the abbey is referred to as "Abbey Foregate", the area around which forms a suburb of the town of the same name. The suburb's development is largely residential, with some commercial and limited industrial development, much of the industry having left during a period of decline in the 20th century.
