Gates And Gate Piers At West Entrance To Paternoster Row

The gates and gate piers at the west entrance to Paternoster Row in Barnstaple were constructed in 1829 by Thomas L Willshire, following a design by Mr Hooper. Originally, lamps were added in 1845 but have since been removed. The gates are made of openwork cast-iron and are designed in a Gothic style. They feature double gates in the center, with a single gate on either side, all flanked and separated by tall piers. The gates are decorated with quatrefoils, spearheads, and trefoil-headed panels. The gate piers are square in section and share similar decorative details. Each pier is topped with four crocketed pinnacles and a taller central pinnacle. The piers beside the double gates carry small brass plaques that read: "NEW IRON GATE MADE AND THE CHURCH YARD FLAT PAVED IN THE YEAR 1829. SAML. LINNINGTON, WILLM. ARTER, WARDENS." A simpler version of these gates, likely from the mid-19th century, can be found further down Paternoster Row at the east entrance to the churchyard.