The Priory

DITCHEAT CP KITE LANE (West side) ST6235 16/99 The Priory (Previously listed as The Abbey House) 2.6.61 GV II*

Rectory, subsequently a house. 1473, for John Gunthorpe, Rector of Ditcheat, Dean of Wells, and Lord Privy Seal; altered 1667 for Christopher Coward; refacaded with internal rearrangements 1864-8, probably by James Piers St. Aubyn, for Rev. William Lier. Coursed and squared rubble, freestone dressings, coped verges, stone-tiled roofs, large stone finials, tall polygonal ashlar stacks in groups of 2, 3 and 4. Hall house with later changes, now forming an L-plan; Tudor-Gothick style. Two storeys and attic, 1:1:1:1:1 bays; second and fourth bays with small triangular gables to attic, first and fifth bays under shaped gables; 2 and 3-light stone-mullioned windows, arched and cusped heads, labels; one with carved heads as stops; canted 2-storied bay window to left, pierced parapet with quatrefoils bogus datestones; single-storeyed canted bay window to right, pierced parapet. Canted embattled oriel over door opening, which is to fourth bay, windows with ornamental glazing bars. Door opening with 4-centred arch head, label, paired ribbed doors. Two blocked windows in right end elevation are early with cusped heads. Rear elevations with remains of C15 detail including windows. Interior predominantly of 1868 in elaborate Gothic style, incorporating some reused material including part of the rood screen brought from the parish church of St Mary (q.v.) in 1868, some original C15 and C17 work remains, coffered ceilings, a stained glass window, and an arch-braced roof to the "chapel wing". (Chancellor C., The History of the Priory Ditcheat, l980 Photographs in NMR).

Listing NGR: ST6235436143