N Gatehouse at Ewenny Priory (house)

Cadw's description

Location

Facing Abbey Road and Ewenny River, within the Priory complex on NW side.

History

Original gatehouse late C12, remodelled c 1300, but retaining some of the early work.

Exterior

Gothic gatehouse adapted from a Romanesque predecessor. Of coursed rubble with ashlar dressings. Roughly rectangular with the N angles reinforced with semi-octagonal towers with deep spur buttresses. Pointed arched entrance of 3 chamfered orders; above is a trefoil headed window under the ruined corbel table. Behind arch is a groove for the portcullis and the stone vault in 3 bays with heavy chamfered ribs, the centre with pilaster responds; 2 further slots in vault to S where building line shows the earlier work, with Romanesque colonettes to an ashlar pier though with a later pointed arch springing from them; putlogs to N bays; rectangular openings in vault 2nd bay; stable-tiled floor. Side right (W) has a culvert opening below ground level and at battlement level one small arrow loop, a small round headed light and narrow pointed arched doorway giving access to corbelled wall walk. Side left (E) has single trefoil headed light at first floor level adjoining stair tower and the short stretch of precinct wall which adjoins barn. Rear elevation (S) has to right (E) chamfered pointed arched entrance doorway to rectangular staircase turret, the battlement wall walk corbelled out, single round headed staircase light and a slit where tower adjoins gatehouse; main S front has pointed archway matching N with signs of the earlier build clearly visible in the surround and relieving arch; stepped-in gable above with single now incomplete light, putlogs; stepped back to left are the gateway to the wall walk and battlements.

Interior

Ground floor side rear doorway gives access to winding stone stairs. First floor N chamber has wide window embrasures with chamfered surrounds, stone seats within; former fireplace and flue; holes in floor to vault below; main portcullis slot. Nesting holes for doves built against former inner wall of S gable, 2 further portcullis slots here. To NW garderobe recess and access to wall walk. Stairs ascended to former higher level.

Reason for designation

Listed grade I as an important almost complete gatehouse from C12-13; group value with other buildings of Ewenny Priory, in particular the W Precinct Wall, the Garden Wall and the Barn.
Scheduled Ancient Monument Gm 190 (part).