10, Cathedral Close

CATHEDRAL CLOSE 1. 1092 No 10 SX 9292 NW 3/105 29.1.53 GV 2. Sometimes called the Gatehouse. In the Middle Ages and later was house of thw Archdeacons of Barnstaple and Totnes, the frontage onto the road probably being gatehouse and stables. This range is 2 storeys of Heavitree stone in random and coursed rubble and includes also the frontage of No 11. Windows are various, including two large Georgian 1st floor bays, oak mullioned windows of various sizes, and small stone windows to ground floor. In centre is the famous early C17 oak gate carved with heavily rusticated cubes, shell design etc. The arch is semi-circular, with arms of Biship Cotton (1598-1621) over it. This arch leads to small courtyard, of which No 11 forms the east side. On west is 2 storeys half-timbered building probably C19. On north is 2 storey hall and chapel of the ancient house. The former has plastered timber upper floor. Stone arch to screens passage has arms of Bishop Oldham (1504-1519), but parts of the house may be older. Slate roofs. Interior: carved wooden ceiling etc 1st floor chapel has Perpendicular east window and barrel-shaped early C17 plaster ceiling. (NB. The house was occupied mid C19 by John Gendall, artist, sculptor, etc, so that some of the features may be suspect. He is responsible for the Flaxman and Thorwaldson reliefs found in the house). All the listed buildings in Cathedral Close form a group.

Listing NGR: SX9217892589