The site of the Medieval Cistercian Abbey was acquired by Stoke-on- Trent City Council in 1987 and excavated by The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery's Archaeology Field Unit between 1987 and 1994. The Abbey was founded by Henry De Audley in 1219 and consecrated in 1223. Following the dissolution in 1538 the site was lost until 1884; it was located during a chance excavation, later being investigated and published by Lynam.

The site is freely open to the public