Gatehouse

EGLOSKERRY PENHEALE SX 28 NE 8/50 Gatehouse 22.11.60

GV I

Gatehouse. Circa 1636 for Paul Specott. Laced slatestone and granite masonry on north elevation and rendered walls on south with incised lines, probably to echo the granite ashlar north wall of Penheale Manor (qv) which stands directly to the south. Rag slate roof with gable ends and hipped end to front wing on right. Granite axial and end stacks with moulded granite caps. Plan: Overall 'L' shaped plan. There is a central entrance in the north elevation, aligning with the main entrance to Penheale Manor. The central part of the gatehouse is open on the ground floor with an open fronted 5-bay arcade to south facing the house. The two storey ranges to right and left are approached from within the loggia with an external stair on the west end. A circa C18 one-room wing projects to front right of the south elevation. Exterior: Two storeys. South front faces the house. The central range is open- fronted on the ground floor with a 5-bay arcade of granite columns with moulded caps and bases. Above, directly in the centre a 3-light mullion window with gable above, flanked by 2-light mullion windows directly above the granite piers. To right and left are the two storey ranges which have 2-light mullion windows. The C18 wing to front right breaks the symmetry and has a reset 3-light mullion window in the side wall. The north elevation has a central 4-centred granite roll-moulded arch with incised spandrels. C18 gates, with ramped rail and twisted stanchion bars. The coat of arms above the entrance is that of the Simcoe family who owned Penheale in the C19. 4- light mullion window above. The cupola above the entrance has a weathervane which is surmounted by the mail-arm of the Simcoe family. Interior of the loggia has two C17 doors which lead into the 2-storey ranges to right and left. Circa C17 sundial and two lead rain-water tanks with initials and date '1776 DE'. The interior of the gatehouse was not accessible. The County Life article of 1925 records interior features including decorative plasterwork and an oak stair with spiral twisted balusters. The extent of any alterations to the gatehouse by Sir Edwin Lutyens is uncertain. The north elevation of the Gatehouse and Penheale Manor was illustrated in The Spoure Book, 1698. The Spoure Book, 1698 Cornwall Record Office FS3/93/3/133 Edwards, R 'Penheale Manor House' Country Life March 28, 1925.

Listing NGR: SX2684288051