Gate Piers, Gates And Walls To Williamson Park

The gate piers, gates, and walls to Williamson Park were built in 1880 and are made of sandstone ashlar, featuring cast and wrought-iron gates. The main carriageway is flanked by square gate piers that have moulded bases and fluted pilasters adorned with rosettes on their friezes. These piers have moulded cornices and are topped with stones that have semicircular elevations with fan-like carvings. On either side of the main entrance are pedestrian entrances with moulded semicircular arches that spring from moulded imposts, featuring carved keystones and decorative spandrels. The outer sides of these entrances are also flanked by fluted pilasters, topped with a moulded cornice and blocking course. The friezes on the piers are carved with the words 'WILLIAMSON' and 'PARK 1880'.

Low stone walls with an S-plan design run alongside the gates, carrying railings that are supported by rectangular piers with cornices and sunken panels. The railings are topped with ball-and-spike finials. The pedestrian gates feature friezes of roundels and are cross-braced with a central boss that has foliage decoration. The central gates are bordered with roundels and display shields of arms in the centres of their upper panels.

Historically, Williamson Park was developed on the site of former quarries and moorland. Initial development began during the Cotton Famine of the 1860s, but significant work started in the 1870s when James Williamson (Senior) funded the landscape's design by Mr. Maclean of Castle Donnington. The park was handed over to Lancaster Corporation by James Williamson (Junior) in 1881.