Twerton Wood Tunnel East Portal (MLN110903)

The Twerton Wood Tunnel East Portal is a Grade II* listed structure made of squared and coursed Pennant stone, with Bath ashlar used for the voussoirs, quoins, string courses, capping stones, and arrow loops. The portal features an asymmetrical design with an inner four-centred arch set within a pointed segmental arch, flanked by turrets and wing walls. The entrance is composed of four concentric arches that create a complex profile: the inner four-centred arch has chamfered voussoirs and is surrounded by a relieving arch of a similar shape, which is further encased by two pointed segmental arches. The inner arch connects to the reveals of the outer arch at springing level. Above the arch, there is a string course, followed by an embattled parapet with sloping coping stones.

The central section of the portal is flanked by two octagonal turrets, with the north (upside) turret being taller than the south (downside) turret. The lower parts of the turrets are battered outwards, and their upper sections rise above the central parapet, adorned with arrow loops, string courses, and crenellations topped with moulded and sloping capping stones. The turrets are accompanied by short sections of plain wall with coping stones. The south side of the portal connects to a substantial contemporary retaining wall made of squared coursed Pennant stone, which is 340 meters long, up to 15 meters high, and curved in shape, linking to the west portal of Twerton Tunnel.