Cartmel Priory Gatehouse, Priest Lane, Cartmel

Summary

This 14th century gatehouse was used as the seat and courthouse for the manor until its function changed to a school house in 1624.

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Description

Cartmel priory gatehouse is described as being 15th century (Stockdale, J). It was used as the seat and courthouse of the manor until 1624 when it was sold as a school (Clare, T. 1980). The earliest date for this site is considered to be the 14th century with later architectural additions to the structure. There is an undated statue of the virgin in an external niche (Pevsner, N. 1969). This is a simple building with a high archway and two long windows of the ogee lights high up. The gable side has a stepped 17th century window. The interior room is reached by a stone spiral staircase, the first floor is heated by a large fireplace. The site was used as a school until 1790 when it was sold to a James Stockdale, it was given to the National Trust in 1946. The roof was stripped and re-slated in 1964. The east window was replaced by an exact replica to the original window dated to 1624. In 1984 the first floor room was redecorated with Ox-blood lime wash. Below the east window is a single ogee-shaped window, the remains of a similar window on the west side is half blocked. Two light ogee-shaped windows can be seen in the north and south walls opposite each other. Externally the niche for the statue is above the apex of the arch on the south wall. There are doors on both sides on the inside of the archway (English Heritage 1986). This site is described as "The priory gatehouse" was built in the 14th century as the main entrance to Cartmel Priory was used as a grammar school in 1624 (Victoria History of the Counties of England: Lancashire, 1914, Vol 8).

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