Ayshford Chapel

The chapel was built in the 15th century by the Ayshford family of adjacent Ayshford Court. It is considered to be large for a private chapel in Devon. It was renovated during the 19th century. Since it was declared redundant, the chapel has been maintained by a charity, the Friends of Friendless Churches, who hold a 125 year lease with effect from 1 February 2000. In 2001–02 the charity undertook major conservation work. This included restoring the salmon-pink limewash in the interior, and repairing the stained glass.

Ayshford Chapel is constructed in local Westleigh chert rubble, with dressings in Beer stone. It has a slate roof. The plan consists of a rectangular building in one cell with no division between the nave and chancel. It is supported by corner buttresses. The ends are gabled and coped; at the west end is a bellcote, and at the east end is an apex cross. There are three two-light windows in each side wall and a three-light window in each end; all contain Perpendicular tracery. There are two doors, one at the west end, the other on the south side. Internally the roof dates from the 15th century; it is a continuous open wagon roof and contains oak bosses with foliage carving. The carved oak…