Chapel Of St Mary Magdalene

This is a domestic chapel, dating to the early 16th century, likely built for Sir Henry Trecarrel, with minor alterations and repairs made later. Constructed of granite ashlar with a slate roof featuring coped verges, the chapel has a single-cell plan and includes a moulded plinth, eaves cornice, and stepped angle buttresses.

The south side has a lean-to staircase projection to the west, with a small, narrow, chamfered rectangular window on its west face. A tiny square chamfered window, situated below the eaves on the east side, once lit a west gallery. The east side features a four-centred window with square label-stops to the hoodmould and three cinquefoil-headed lights with quatrefoils above. The label-stops on this window display carved decoration, and a late 20th-century granite cross sits on the gable. A similar window on the north side includes incised crosses to its label-stops. A tiny window corresponding to the one on the south, and the lean-to projection (whose top was rebuilt in rubblestone), formerly held a stack. The west wall is distinguished by a Tudor-arched doorway with carved spandrels, square label-stops, and a plank door fitted with strap hinges.

Inside, an exposed waggon roof is present, featuring three rails which are moulded at the east end and plain at the west; the wallplate is also carved at the east end. A 20th-century slate floor covers the space, with an original step leading up to the sanctuary. This area contains trefoil-headed piscinae in the north and south walls, and granite pillars with moulded plinths and capitals (intended for statues) on either side of the east window. The west gallery has been removed, but the tiny windows in the north and south walls are splayed to allow more light. The staircase has also gone, but a garderobe and fireplace remain at the former first-floor level within the north projection; an unidentified recess is located on the ground floor.

Excavations in the 1980s revealed evidence of wooden posts that supported the gallery, as well as earlier buildings on the site, both ecclesiastical and agricultural. The current window glazing dates to the late 20th century, and it is believed the chapel originally had portable glass. The iron bars are likely original or from the 17th century. It is thought the western gallery may have been used by a resident chaplain. A chapel was first licensed on this site in 1405. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (County No 577).