More information : (SX 80126037) Town Walls (NR) (Site of) (NAT). (1)
The Medieval walls of Totnes survive in two places, as follows:
'A' (SX 80276048 - 80286046). 16 metres length 2 metres high,
built of ragstone.
'B' (SX 80286042 - 80276040). 26 metres length about 3 1/2
metres high, built of ragstone. (2)
The Medieval walls of Totnes enclosed an oval area about 350
yards by 200 yards, placed on a natural defensive line acoss
the slopes of the hill. They were probably on the site of the
stockade of the Saxon burh (see SX 86 SW 1). The first murage
grant was received in 1264, and a second in 1335. Little
remains of the wall, although its course is easily traceable in
the modern street plan. Between the North Gate (SX 86 SW 12) and
East Gate (SX 86 SW 10) the wall serves as a retaining wall, and
houses have been built on its line.
From the East Gate to the site of the West Gate (SX 76 SE15), the
wall can be seen only at the top of a vennel leading to Tower
cottage. A semi-circular tower projects about 5 feet in front
of the wall, with an internal diameter of 6 feet. It appears
to be bonded into the wall.
The West Gate has been destroyed, and the line of the walls to
the castle is not certain. (See SX 86 SW 15; site of South Gate or
Shambles Gate. SX 86 SW 64; 14th century tower). (3-4)
The town walls mainly date to the late 14th century with
extensive repairs in 1639. Remains of the defences survive, as
follows:
(i) No 73 fore Street (SX 80286043) incorporated part of the
Medieval town wall on its west side.
(ii) The lower part of the wall can be seen between the rear
gateway of No 2 High Street and No 1 South Street, and south-
west of no 1 (Length 'B', as above). It is of random Devonian
limestone rubble. Grade II.
(iii) The Baste Wall, extensively repaired circa 1639, runs
along the centre of South Street, from opposite No 3 to a point
west of No 13 (SX 80206035 - SX 80066038). It consists of the
outer face of the curtain wall, of Devonian limestone rubble
with a modern parapet. the siting of the Baste Walls suggests
that the northern raised section of South Street may originally
have been a rampart walk. Grade II.
(iv) Possible defensive tower at the rear of No 2 High Street
(approx SX 80276040).
(v) Remains of the wall survive at the North Gate. (5)
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