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The History of the Priory Gatehouse

Purpose in Medieval Times

Priory Gatehouse, Malvern as it was more than two hundred years ago
An early view of the Priory Gatehouse

This was once the gatehouse to Great Malvern’s Benedictine priory, and was built c.1480. Under the archway you can still see the squint window where visitors declared their business to the porter, who kept watch from within. He was expected to be cheerful, polite, and welcoming at all times.

Although Malvern was remote, the monarchs established a royal hunting ground here c.1086, about the same time as the priory was built. Royal visitors included Henry VII and his wife, Elizabeth of York, and their sons Arthur and Henry (later Henry VIII).

Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in the late 1530s meant that most of Malvern priory was destroyed but, mercifully, this building was spared. It was extended at the end of the 16th century on the south side using red Tudor brickwork and mullioned windows. The little angel above the arch is said to be John Knotsford, who owned the building at that time.

The Priory Gatehouse in Later History

In the mid 19th century the gatehouse was used as a court. A fruit and game shop operated downstairs on the west side for several decades too. Later, solicitors, estate agents and architects had offices here. One architect was Arthur Troyte Griffith whose dear friend Edward Elgar used to visit him in his office. Troyte became Enigma Variation no. VII.

I scream, you scream, we all scream!

The gatehouse was remodelled in 1891. On the north side a battlement was added and the crumbling façade was refaced. A controversial extension was added on the west side, destroying its symmetry. In 1978 an ice cream van became wedged under the archway causing a huge amount of damage, after which traffic was banned from driving through the arch. At that time the priory gatehouse was used as lodgings for the staff at the nearby Abbey Hotel. In 1980 the owners, de Vere Hotels, generously gave the ancient building to Malvern Museum Society.

The gatehouse is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II* Listed building, and now houses a fine local history collection where the story of Malvern may be explored.