East Gate, High Street, Totnes, Devon
This gate formed part of Totnes town defences. The Anglo-Saxon borough defences probably enclosed the top of the hill, commanding the navigable reaches of the Dart. They probably took the line later followed by the medieval wall, whose circuit is still marked by South Street, Guildhall Yard and North Street. The motte and bailey castle built at the Conquest by Judhael de Totnes was inserted at the highest point of the hill. The walls mainly date to the late 14th century with extensive repairs in 1639. The West Gate was demolished around 1810. The East Gate was probably altered and refronted around 1835 in Gothic style. In 1850 Lord Seymour purchased the Gate House and opened it as a Mechanic's Institute and Reading Room. The building has since been used as part of the Berry Pomeroy estate office.
