MSO9481 - 18th Century summerhouse in the grounds of Dunster Castle (Building)
Summary
Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record caveat document.
Type and Period (2)
Protected Status
Full Description
A small, octagonal summerhouse lies on the eastern edge of the top of the motte of Dunster Castle, at SS 9915 4346. It was built before 1733 [3], probably at the same time as the motte was levelled and made into a bowling green, early in the 18th century [4]. The summerhouse is built of brick, with a stone and slate floor. Two of the four windows are now blocked. The stone mullioned windows appear to be re-used. The summerhouse enjoys a prospect over the castle to the sea [4]. Built circa 1727 on the summit of the tor when the site of the keep was levelled and made a bowling green. Small octaginal brick building with 15th century timber mullion window. The summerhouse is located within the Scheduled Ancient Monument - Motte and Bailey at Dunster Castle (Somerset County No 469). [6] English Heritage Listed Building Number: 264652. First Listed on 4 August 1983. [7] The Summerhouse is within Dunster Conservation Area. The 2002 Character Appraisal states "Within the Castle grounds is the Summerhouse built around 1727 to an octagonal plan of brick and containing a 15th century timber mullion window. It is located within the former Motte and Bailey (a Scheduled Ancient Monument), when the site of the former keep was levelled to form a bowling green." [8] Pevsner states of the Summerhouse "1727; on top of the tor. Octagonal but with one (re-used?) C15 window." [9] The building was visited in May 2012 as part of the rapid condition survey of Exmoor's Listed Buildings 2012-13. It received a BAR score of 5A. [10] The summerhouse is shown on the 25 inch 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map as a round structure at SS 9914 4346. [11] The building is also shown on 2018 MasterMap data. [12]
Sources/Archives (12)
- <1> SMO5286 Monograph: English Heritage. 1984-. Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. English Heritage. Somerset (1985), part 37.
- <2> SMO5109 Index: Department of the Environment. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest . West Somerset (Aug 1986), 26.
- <3> SMO5110 Externally held archive reference: Externally held archive. Engraving of Dunster Castle from the north-east in 1733, by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck.
- <4> SEM8803 Leaflet: Dodd, D.. 1979. Dunster Castle. National Trust.
- <5> SMO7322 Unpublished document: Riley, H.. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 1988.
- <6> SSO691 Index: 4/8/1983. Twenty-fifth List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. District of West Somerset (Somerset).
- <7> SEM8675 Verbal communication: Various. 1900-. Somerset County Council / South West Heritage Trust staff comments. Chris Webster, Somerset HER, 28 November 2005.
- <8> SEM7910 Unpublished document: Fisher, J.. 2002. Dunster Conservation Area Character Appraisal. p21-2.
- <9> SMO5711 Monograph: Pevsner, N.. 1958. The Buildings of England: South and West Somerset. Penguin Books. p157.
- <10> SEM8060 Report: Lawrence, G.. 2014. Exmoor National Park: Rapid condition survey of listed buildings 2012-13.
- <11> SEM6703 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500.
- <12> SEM8545 Map: Ordnance Survey. 2018. MasterMap.
External Links (1)
- http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=543248 (Original Monarch entry: 543248)
Other Statuses/References
- 2012-3 Building At Risk Score (5A): 26/4/21
- Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO12062
- Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO9457
- Listed Building List Entry UID: 264652
- Local List Status (No)
- National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 SE106
- National Park: Exmoor National Park
- NBR Index Number: 83989
- Pastscape / NRHE HOB UID: 543248
- Somerset SMR PRN: 34920
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 991 434 (6m by 7m) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS94SE |
Civil Parish | DUNSTER, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Events/Activities (3)
Record last edited
Apr 1 2021 11:58AM
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