Newton St Loe

Description

Site of a fortified manor house and deer park, occupied possibly from the 12th century. The fortified manor house consisted of a rectangular courtyard with square corner towers and connecting ranges behind a curtain wall, surrounded on at least three sides by a ditch. Excavation has identified three main medieval building phases, the principal one being during the first quarter of the 14th century, and a ceramic sequence from the 12th/13th centuries to the 18th century. The gatehouse was built in the mid 15th century. During the 16th century alterations were made to the defences and domestic buildings. The mound lying north of the keep was proved by excavation to be the remains of a tower at the termination of the east curtain wall. Most of the complex was demolished during landscaping of the park in the 18th century. (PastScape)

A large, fortified tower, formerly known as a keep, but actually part of a fortified manor house. C14, altered and remodelled C16 and late C17, restored C19, porch added C18. Rubble, freestone dressings, hipped slate roof set back and concealed behind a tall, embattled ashlar parapet which is inset with shields of arms, moulded string and gargoyles. Irregular L-plan with C16 extension to north and C18 projecting porch. 3 storeys and vaulted basement. South Elevation. Three 4-light cross windows in hollow chamfered surrounds and with segmental heads, and under dripmoulds. West Elevation. In the centre is a part square and part circular stairtower with a quatrefoil parapet and 2-light windows with cusped heads. Blocked windows at south end. Single storey, C18 projecting entrance at north west: 2 large 4-centred arches, one blocked and embattled parapet. Inverted V-mark of former wing. Lower, 2 storey wing at north has two 2-light casement windows in hollow surrounds and with segmental heads, under dripmoulds. Interior. Chamfered and 4-centre headed doorway leads to a vaulted chamber at the south end: adjoining chamber with a garderobe. Stone newel stair. The room on the 3rd floor has a C17 freestone fireplace in a moulded surround and with a 4-centred head and a moulded overmantel. (Listed Building Report 1129476)
Gatehouse. C15, altered late C18 - early C19. Coursed rubble with freestone dressings, hipped slate roofs concealed behind plain and embattled parapets. 2 storeys. West Elevation. Central, heavily moulded, 4-centred archway with portcullis groove. Large studded plank doors with strap hinges and wicket door. Flanking square buttresses (C18 - C19) with embattled tops and embattled parapet on moulded corbels between the buttresses. The right hand buttress partly obscures a single light window in a double chamfered surround. East Elevation. 2-light casement windows in double chamfered surrounds, to 3 stages. Buttresses with off-sets flank the archway. The archway has a 2 bay tierceron vault springing from clustered triple shafts and enriched capitals, bosses carved with foliage, arms, Tudor roses and heads. The north wall is pierced by 2 segmental headed openings. (Listed Building Report 1136324)