Ford Castle Portcullis Gate, Armoury Tower And Forecourt Walls To Ford Castle

FORD FORD CASTLE NT 9437 17/89 Portcullis Gate, Armoury tower and forecourt walls to Ford Castle GV I

Forecourt walls with 2 towers and gateway with 2 attached rooms. 1791 by Nisbet of Kelso for Sir John Hussey Deleval incorporating early, possibly C16 or C17 masonry in the walls. Ashlar with Welsh slate roofs. Faces south.

Portcullis gate. Very tall pointed arch with alternate bands of vermiculate rustication; the impost blocks and huge keystone have glacial rustication. Set in the arch an imitation portcullis. The arch is set in a castellated screen wall with similarly rusticated quoins, 2 arched niches with quatrefoils above, modillion cornice and pierced quatrefoils in the parapet.

Castellated walls c.15 feet high left and right of gate. Set in the centre of the wall to right a square interval tower with quatrefoils in the parapet.

Armoury tower in south-west corner has boarded door on ground floor with cambered lintel. Blocked Gothick windows above.

Rear, i.e. within the forecourt, left and right of gateway, small gate lodges. One tall storey, one room only. 4-centred-arched doors with incised ogee arch on lintel; apsidal north walls.

Interior of Armoury Tower has C19 hooded fireplace with embossed tiles of medieval patterns.

Country Life: Vol. 89 (1941)

Listing NGR: NT9445437462