Survey Data
Reg No
13622074
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social
Original Use
Fortification
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1800 - 1820
Coordinates
309034, 274838
Date Recorded
05/08/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Stone entrance gate, built c. 1810. Enclosed yard flanked by gates to east and west, stone wall to north. Square-profile gate piers to east, pin-hammered ashlar limestone, chamfered plinth and caps, cast-iron hinge brackets; random rubble walls to north, curved stone coping, arrow loops to north elevation, gate lodge to south. Round-headed carriage arch to west, pin-hammered ashlar limestone walling, cut stone voussoirs and keystone, string course, chamfered plinth, metal gates; square-headed pedestrian opening to north of carriage arch, cut stone surround, now blocked. Gates lead to former army barracks and Martello tower.
Appraisal
The series of two gate and enclosed chamber would have originally been a defensive measure to verify the authenticity of those entering the fort and also to prevent the storming of the barracks on the opening of the primary gates. This mechanism goes back to medieval times and is still in use today in fortified buildings.