Abbey House, of Georgian style, was built in 1751. The house and gardens stand on the site of part of King Alfred’s Nunnaminster.

The grounds were bought by Winchester City Council in 1890 and converted to a Public Pleasure Ground. They are now laid out with formal flower beds, a rose garden, a scented garden and an enclosed children's play area. The River Itchen runs through the gardens providing habitat for a variety of wildlife having once fed fishponds and powered the mill of the Nunnaminster.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust