Whitewell Ruins - structure A

The ruins at Whitewell comprise three structures, A, B, and C, with building A being the principal focus. The main building (A) likely dates to the late 14th or 15th century, with a later vaulted extension added to its west side. It is believed to have originally been an early manor house, similar in character to Lydstep Palace. Ownership records from 1601, 1609, and 1618 indicate tenants including John Thomas, David Meredith, and Owen John Thomas.

Building A is a large structure, approximately 21 meters long by 7 meters wide, running north-south. It probably originally consisted of two storeys plus an attic or loft. A later wing was added to the west side, featuring the springing of a vaulted undercroft and probably only one storey above. While the Royal Commission initially suggested the lower storey of the main range may have been vaulted, a subsequent resurvey in 1964 and a further inspection in 1995 found no evidence of this; the span being excessive and the lack of collapsed masonry interiorly suggests it was not vaulted. There appear to have been doorways at upper floor level on the west and south sides. Several features may be later additions, including an entrance porch and stairs at the west side, a large oven projecting from the south gable wall, a large arched entrance on the west side, and a cross-wall.

Related low walls, built of a similar material to the ruins, partially surround the site. The listing includes these walls and any parts of the mediaeval Whitewell buildings now outside the Ancient Monument boundary.

The site is listed Grade I due to its archaeological significance and the exceptional size of the main building, which is comparable to the Palace at Lydstep. It is designated as Ancient Monument no. Pe 137.