The Abbot'S Porch

ST 6601 CERNE ABBAS CERNE ABBEY

11/60 The Abbot's Porch 26.1.56 (formely listed as Gatehouse at Cerne Abbey).

GV I

Porch to former abbots hall, built under Abbot Thomas Sam (1497-1509). Ashlar stone walls, with dressed stone masonry on south face, and brick facing on upper part of east face. Slate roof. Three storeys, with moulded plinth, diagonal buttresses with set-offs, and a rebuilt embattled parapet. Outer entrance has heavily moulded jambs, a 3-centre arch with a label and beast-stops. Above this is a 2-storeyed canted oriel supported on moulded corbelling. 3-lights to front face, one on each return. Cinquefoiled ogee lights with mouchettes, rebuilt at the front. Standards at corners supported an angels. Below this a range 2, 4 and 2 shields- of-arms set in quatrefoils, and similarly between first and second floor windows. (For the heraldry, see RCHM). The second floor windows have cinquefoil lights in 4-centred heads, with bowtells to the mullions. Porch passage has a damaged fan-vaulted roof with cones springing from moulded corbels. Much of the box-work destroyed. North cone very damp. Attached Porter's Lodging, of 2 storeys with a pent roof. Ground floor is entered by a doorway from the stair- turret on the east. West wall has a fireplace, and a window of one light.

(RCHM Dorset I, p77(2)) -

Listing NGR: ST6653701412