Wall and gate piers of the Church of St Laurence’s graveyard

The wall and gate piers of the Church of St Laurence’s graveyard were originally built in the 16th century, largely rebuilt in 1791, and have undergone repairs in the 19th and 20th centuries. The wall was restored around 2015.

Constructed from red brick, the wall incorporates Taynton Stone, Hornton Stone, flint, and wrought iron elements. The gate piers are made of red brick with ashlar limestone decoration.

The wall surrounds the graveyard on the east, south, and south-east sides, starting at the church in the south-west and ending at Minerva House in the north-east. The southern part of the wall is divided into two sections; the lower section features large pieces of Taynton and Hornton Stone mixed with smaller knapped flints, while the upper section is made of red brick arranged in English bond and topped with rounded brick coping. The south-east section is entirely red brick, laid in an inconsistent Flemish bond. The eastern section is also red brick, with the lower part appearing older and laid in English Cross bond. Near the northern side of the eastern wall, there is an opening into the graveyard, flanked by large brick gate piers with limestone bases, block capping, and ball finials on top. Part of the stone capping is inscribed with ‘REBUILT AD 1791’. Above the entrance, there is a wrought iron overthrow with a lamp.