Overleigh Lodge And Gates And Screens

Overleigh Lodge and associated gates, screens, and piers were built around 1893 by RW Edis for the first Duke of Westminster, serving as the entrance to the former three-mile approach to Eaton Hall.

The lodge is a two-story, T-shaped cottage constructed of yellow sandstone on the ground floor, stone-dressed blue-diapered red Ruabon brick on the first floor, and with Westmorland green slate roofing. It features a porch with a shaped gable and a round stair turret with a conical spire set at the front angle of the 'T', mullioned windows, some transomed, extensive carved stone ornamentation, shaped gables, a lead and wrought-iron finial to the spire, and a prominent chimney of five separated flues with spiral and trellis mouldings. The interior has not been inspected.

The gate piers are plinth-walled to the cream stone screens. The piers have rusticated details, including rebated corners, fluted capitals, moulded cornices, and urn finials. The larger end piers to the screens are topped with vase balusters and elaborate urn finials. The double carriage gates, flanked by pedestrian gates, possess ornate quasi-overthrows, with features including a bottom rail, dogbars, a double lockrail, and a double toprail. The gates and screens are richly ornamented with panels featuring scrolls, foliage, floral motifs, coronets, Grosvenor sheafs, and interlaced W’s. A screen extends along the road to Wrexham Road. The entire composition was intended to impress visitors entering the Eaton Hall estate.