Worksop Priory Gatehouse

The Worksop Priory Gatehouse, located in Cheapside, Worksop, dates to the early 14th century and has undergone several restorations in 1814, 1891, 1909-12, 1959, and 1974. Constructed of irregularly coursed ashlar and rubble, it features cross-gabled and lean-to pantile roofs with ashlar dressings. A moulded plinth, first floor band, and eaves band incorporate nailhead detailing, with coped gables, the south gable featuring a cross.

The gatehouse has a square plan with lean-to wings, and its main south front is characterized by four gabled buttresses, the two central ones containing single gabled niches. The central entry arch is rebated and roll moulded, with filleted clustered shaft responds, moulded capitals, and a hood mould. To the left of the arch is a mullioned window, and to the right, an attached shrine chapel. Above the entry arch is a central 15th-century segmental headed sextuple lancet window with cusped heads and reticulated tracery, flanked by single gabled niches, each containing a figure, and beyond, Tudor arched openings containing shouldered double lancets. Further above is a central cusped head niche with crocketted pinnacles, supporting a seated female figure, topped by a three-light roundel.

The shrine chapel, dating to the mid-14th century, is single-storied and one bay wide. It features a chamfered plinth, diagonal buttresses, a moulded string course, two gargoyles, and a quatrefoil pierced moulded parapet. Moulded ogee headed doorways are on each side (the eastern one restored). The chapel also has double canopied niches and cusped headed blank panels. A central ogee headed triple lancet window with curvilinear tracery and a hood mould is surmounted by three relief panels, the central panel depicting figures.

The north front has a central double chamfered and rebated entry, with clustered filleted shaft responds. To the left is a restored external stair, and to the right, a single ogee headed lancet window. Above the entry is a segmental headed 15th-century mullioned and transomed window with shouldered heads. A pointed arched chamfered doorway, a small chamfered window, and a single shouldered light are also present, topped by a single chamfered opening in the gable.

The passageway, spanning two bays, has a ceiling with moulded joists, span beams, carved corbels carrying moulded arch braces, turned feet to span beams, and wall plates. The inner gateway has a double chamfered and rebated archway, chamfered responds and a smaller doorway to the right. The northern bay contains a chamfered and rebated ogee headed door on each side.

The central first-floor hall has a massive moulded lintel and hood over the central fireplace, flanked by pointed arched doorways. The roof features six span beams, one with a fillet and moulding, and a 20th-century ceiling. The west side has two similar doorways. The shrine chapel to the north has a cusped ogee headed doorway with a reeded impost to the left, and a niche with a crocketted spired canopy containing 20th-century figures to its right. A reeded respond stands adjacent to this niche. The lierne vault is adorned with carved bosses and two mask corbels, while the museum above contains a 14th-century ogee headed piscina.