NHER 2469 (Building record) - Old Gatehouse at Bexwell Hall

February 1977. Visit.
Stone building connected with old Bexwell Hall. Said variously to be a gatehouse or entrance tower, but neither is really adequate. On east is a porch with two octagonal turrets. To north of this are two early 15th century traceried straightheaded windows, blocked with brick, and traces of two more on upper storey. Traces of others on north and west walls, and in latter a blocked pointed door. Large doors added in recent times to convert to barn. Modern slate roof on carstone eaves, in good condition, being repaired when visited.
Wooden structure attached to east side is collapsing and causing damage, and should be removed.
E. Rose (NAU), 16 February 1977.

Drawing by Repton of Tudor chimneys, loaned by British Architectural Library to Repton exhibition University of East Anglia in 1982, includes example 'Bexhill near Downham Norfolk'. On this building, or demolished hall? Copy extract (S1) in file
E. Rose (NAU), 25 October 1982.

November 1984. Listed Grade II.
Barn 110m north of St. Mary's Church
Gatehouse, now barn. Late 15th century. Ashlar and brick with slate roof. Two-storey rectangular building with central door cut into west face and lined with brick. To left blocked two-light and four-light arched and cusped windows within square surrounds. Blocked two-light mullion window to-right. Hipped roof extending at right over staircase bay. East side has central gateway flanked by one octagonal corner turret right and left, each with finials. To right and left two-light mullioned windows under moulded square hoods, all blocked, one with lancet remaining. Late 20th-century roof. Interior shows evidence of fireplace, stairs and division of rooms.
Also Scheduled Ancient Monument, County No: 262.
Information from (S2).
P. Watkins (HES), 22 August 2019.

Fireplaces, stairs, evidence of room divisions remain inside in 1984.
E. Rose (NAU), 9 July 1985.

Condition 1986; poor; deteriorating.
E. Rose (NAU), 24 May 1986.

1 September 1992.
Building seen only in passing.
Has obviously been recently restored, at least externally.
Later attached sheds now removed.
E. Rose (NLA), 2 September 1992.

See report (S3) in file by [1] which suggests this is a mid 16th century lodgings, clad in stone from a dissolved monastery; notes detailed internal garderobes etcetera.
E. Rose (NLA), 29 September 2000.

See copy of 1993 photographic survey (S4) in file.
See photographs (S5) in file.
D. Gurney (NLA), 18 October 2000.

Ancient Monument description (S6) in file.

September 2000. Planning application.
Extension in connection with change of use to function room.
See (S7) for further details.
Z. Dack (HES), 25 October 2012.