Gatehouse

The gatehouse, built around 1636 for Paul Specott, is a substantial building of group value. It is constructed primarily of laced slatestone and granite on the north side, and rendered walls with incised lines on the south, likely intended to mirror the granite ashlar of the nearby Penheale Manor. The roof is of rag slate with gable ends, and a hipped end to the front wing on the right. Granite axial and end stacks are topped with moulded granite caps.

The building’s overall plan is ‘L’ shaped, with a central entrance on the north elevation that aligns with the main entrance to Penheale Manor. The central section features an open fronted, five-bay arcade on the ground floor, facing south towards the house. Two-storey ranges extend to the right and left, accessible from within the loggia, which in turn has an external stair on the west end. A circa 18th century one-room wing projects to the front right of the south elevation.

The south front is distinguished by the open-fronted arcade on the ground floor, with granite columns, moulded caps, and bases. Above the arcade, a three-light mullion window is centrally placed with a gable above, flanked by two-light mullion windows above the granite piers. The two-storey ranges on either side have two-light mullion windows. The 18th century wing to the right breaks the symmetry and includes a repositioned three-light mullion window. The north elevation has a central, four-centred granite arch with incised spandrels. Original 18th century gates with ramped rail and twisted stanchion bars remain. Above the entrance is the coat of arms of the Simcoe family, who owned Penheale in the 19th century, with a four-light mullion window above. A cupola above the entrance is topped with a weathervane bearing the mail-arm of the Simcoe family.

Internally, the loggia features two 17th century doors leading to the two-storey ranges. A circa 17th century sundial and two lead rainwater tanks, inscribed with the initials ‘DE’ and the date ‘1776’, are also present. A 1925 article in Country Life magazine mentions decorative plasterwork and an oak stair with spiral twisted balusters, although the interior was not accessible at the time of listing. The extent of any alterations made by Sir Edwin Lutyens is currently unknown. The north elevation of the gatehouse and Penheale Manor was illustrated in The Spoure Book of 1698.