Lych Gate And Adjoining Stone Wall Approximately 12 Metres South Of Church Of St James

The lych gate and adjoining stone wall, located approximately 12 metres south of the Church of St James in Chawleigh, date from around 1840 to 1850. The lych gate is oak-framed and features original wrought iron fittings on granite ashlar footings, topped with a slate roof that has pierced and crested ridge tiles. The wall is constructed of snecked rubble with granite dressings.

The lych gate is positioned between the Old School House and a tall stone boundary wall. It consists of two unequal bays, with a wide double gate on the left and a narrow pedestrian gate on the right, all designed in a Gothic style. The frame is made of moulded timbers, with each of the three crossframes featuring a central upright on a transverse sill resting on a granite plinth. The uprights include curving tension braces and upward curving braces connecting to a transverse headbeam. Each frame is topped with a king post truss, and the three frames are connected by a large axial beam. The ends of the common rafters are shaped.

The pedestrian gate is particularly notable for its design, allowing it to change shape and lift to open. To the right, the adjoining high wall extends southwards for a short distance. This wall is neatly constructed with a chamfered plinth and steeply weathered coping, both made of granite ashlar. The terminal piers at each end are capped with pyramid-shaped tops.