Canonsleigh Priory Gatehouse

Former Priory Gatehouse, dating from the 15th century. The building is constructed of local stone rubble with Beerstone ashlar detailing, along with some Hamstone and red sandstone ashlar. It features a large double gateway with a chamber above. The original front faced west-south-west. A newel stair turret projects from the left (north) end, and the chamber likely originally had a gable-end stack on the right.

On the front, both gateways are now blocked; the right gateway displays a flattened Tudor arch, while only the right half of the left arch is visible. The left arch was apparently smaller, despite the carriageway vaults having equal height. The chamber above has a Hamstone square-headed two-light window with a moulded mullion, ogee heads, and carved spandrels. A collapsed gap at the right end may have contained another window. Between the window and the collapsed gap is a large Hamstone image-niche with an ogee-head, and a quatrefoil-shaped ventilator towards the right end. The remains of a moulded Beerstone cornice and embattled parapet are visible along the top at the left end. The roof is missing, but low-pitched gables remain at each end; the right gable contains an 18th-century brick-lined oculus. The original cornice on this end is better preserved.

The rear elevation, originally facing into the Priory enclosure, contains a pair of large, plain, segmental-headed carriageway arches, with the left (south) one partly blocked with 20th-century concrete blocks. The southern carriageway has an inner front arch of high-quality craftsmanship; a Tudor arch with a broad moulded surround, enriched with a regular series of carvings featuring four-leaf motifs, masks, and birds. This carriageway appears to have been walled off in the late 16th to early 17th century and has a floor supported by moulded oak beams. The inside of the northern vault is plain. A red sandstone two-centred arch leads off from the carriageway to the newel stair. The chamber is now open to the sky. A collapsed alcove in the southern end may have been a fireplace, and an adjacent alcove was likely a garderobe. It is an interesting relic of monastic life, although its poor state of preservation raises concerns about its future.