Gateway To North-West Of Chester Lodge

The gateway to the northwest of Chester Lodge is an arched structure built in 1815 by Ignatius Bonomi for John Lambton, who later became the 1st Earl of Durham. The walls were extended in the mid-19th century and are made of ashlar sandstone, showcasing a classical style.

This tall and imposing gateway features a semicircular arch with an archivolt and corniced imposts, framed by Tuscan pilasters. The entablature includes a frieze with a raised oblong panel set in a moulded surround, flanked by carved stone rams' heads, which are the Lambton insignia. The blocking course at the top of the gateway breaks forward at the ends.

On either side of the gateway, the lower piers have raised fielded panels, cornices, and enriched S-scroll brackets. A pair of tall iron gates with close-set bars and dogbars topped with spike finials are present; each gate leaf has a narrow margin of small cross-braced panels.

Flanking the gateway are 1.75-metre high convex quadrant walls that feature plinths and chamfered copings. The extension walls have flat coping and lead to square-plan end piers topped with low pyramidal caps.