Willimontswick Gatehouse And Adjacent Ranges

Willimontswick Gatehouse and adjacent ranges are a 16th-century structure that has been altered over time. The buildings are made of coursed rubble with stone dressings and feature slate roofs. The gatehouse is rectangular and located at the north-east corner of a fortified enclosure. It is accompanied by a two-storey east range that connects to the south end of the gatehouse and a single-storey north range that extends to the west.

The front of the gatehouse has a segmental-headed arch leading into a passage with a segmental tunnel vault. There is a mix of window styles, including a square-headed opening with an elaborate moulded surround and two 2-light mullioned windows with hoodmoulds. The parapet above is oversailing and consists of three rounded stepped courses. The rear elevation mirrors the front, featuring small rectangular lights and one 2-light window above the entrance passage, along with a parapet that has two projecting spouts.

Inside, the passage contains two square-headed doorways on the right side, with the second doorway leading into a newel stair within an internal circular turret. The interior also includes various doorway openings and fireplaces. The altered east range has several 16th or 17th-century window openings with chamfered surrounds facing the courtyard, and there is a first-floor door with a chamfered segmental-pointed head. The roof features old principal rafter trusses with collars.

The north range, which now serves as byres, dates from the 18th century and incorporates earlier masonry towards the west end of the north wall. It has segmental-headed arches leading to the courtyard and blocked ventilation slits on the rear elevation, along with principal-rafter roof trusses with collars.

Willimontswick was a fortified manor house rather than a true castle and holds historical significance as the seat of the Ridley family and the birthplace of Bishop Ridley, who died in 1555.