This is the lay brothers’ reredorter. The toilets were on two levels. The upper one, for night time use, was on the far side and gave on to the lay brothers’ dormitory on the first floor of the long west range. At ground level on this side, the toilets were built out over the river, and monks entered through these arches to relieve themselves. The Cistercians were skilful in their use of water. As well as lavatory buildings, there were networks of pipes and channels, communal wash-basins, and ingenious filtering systems all flushed with running water.
Now turn back and continue past the small bridge and up on to the path. The ruins up to the left are what remain of the bakehouse, brewhouse, tannery and wool processing works for the abbey complex. Keeping the river to your right, follow the path onto Mill Bridge.