Worksop Priory Gatehouse

A general view of Worksop Priory Gatehouse

When I set off to Worksop, with the intention of visiting Worksop Priory, it was a spur of the moment decision and I didn't expect to be able to gain access to its interior. Having taken a good look at its exterior, I then explored the nearby Worksop Priory Gatehouse, which I wasn't aware of until I had talked to a local resident about the opening times of the church.

Various architectural details on the front of Worksop Priory Gatehouse

Dating back to the early 14th century, with several phases of restoration between 1814 and 1974, it has suffered from vandalism and misuse over the years and has been placed on the Buildings at Risk Register but, when I arrived, I discovered that the finishing touches were just being applied to the recent restoration of the shrine to St. Mary the Virgin.

The shrine to St. Mary the Virgin

The gatehouse is built entirely in pale yellow Permian dolomitic limestone, topped with a pantiled roof, with coursed rubble used for general walling and irregularly coursed ashlar reserved for the principal south elevation, which has also been ornamented with niches and statues.

A shelter coat applied to the shrine of St. Mary the Virgin

After briefly discussing the merits of the shelter coat, which the stone conservators had just applied to some of these details, I took a few photos of various architectural details before taking advantage of an opportunity to take a quick look at its upper floor, which was once used as a school and is now only currently open to the general public on formal Heritage Open Days.

An ogee arch and fire reddened limestone walling