The Gatehouse

ST53SW BALTONSBOROUBH CP MILL STREET (South side)

9/18 The Gatehouse

22.11.66

• I

House. Cl6, C17, some C19 and minor C20 alterations. Coursed and squared lias rubble, thatched roofs, 4 rendered stacks, irregular height to ridge and eaves. Three unit and cross passage plan with later wing to each side forming U-shaped frontage. Two storeys, 1:2:1 bays, 2, 3 and 4-light reserved chamfer stone mullioned windows, that to ground floor of centre 2 bays with a transom; iron stanchions, iron casements, leaded lights. Three-light ovolo moulded wooden mullioned window to left of the first floor of centre 2 bays; reproduction 2-light window to right return of left wing; blank 2-light opening to gable face of right wing; right gable blank. Central door opening, moulded surround with a 4 centred head, reproduction ribbed and studded door; elaborate gabled and benched porch with an ashlar frontage, door opening in a moulded surround, flanking Ionic pilasters carrying a fluted frieze with acanthus decoration and triangular pediment; gable with a coping and a ball finial. Four bay rear elevation with irregular fenestration, one, 3 and 4-light moulded stone mullioned windows, one with a transom; 2 reproduction 2 and 3-light wooden mullioned windows. Central door opening in a moulded surround with a flat pointed head; reproduction ribbed and studded door with glazed panel; porch with outer door opening in a moulded stone surround with a depressed arch head, frieze, cornice, and pediment with raised lettering:- "1637". Projecting stack to left with a concrete block capping. Salient interior feature the fireplace to left of ground floor; moulded dressed stone surround, pilasters to each side, initials:-"RA" and "RW", elaborately moulded cornice, triangular pediment with lozenge panel with initials:- "RA", finial over with blank shield and fleur-de-lis. Roof of cruck construction with some smoke blackening, probably indicating the existence of a former open hall. It is postulated that the C17 work was executed for a Richard Walton. The title Gatehouse does not appear to have any historical attachment. (Pevsner N, Buildings of England, South and West Somerset, 1958).

Listing NGR: ST5363734712