Entrance Gateway And Attached Railings At The Lodge

The entrance gateway and attached railings at The Lodge date from the mid-19th century and were built for the Aston Hall estate. The structure features ashlar sandstone piers and cast- and wrought-iron railings. The large double gate includes side gates, with railings extending approximately 9 meters on each side. The square piers have a plinth, a sunken-panelled shaft, an egg-and-dart enriched cornice, and are topped with tripod torchères. Each gate has a central roundel adorned with Greek fret ornament surrounding a central rose, with side panels featuring anthemion motifs and a top rail with cast spear-head finials. The meeting stile of the double gate has an axe-head finial, and its lock is marked "WALKER / WALMGATE / YORK." The railings on the left are set in a curve with spear-head finials and a plain ashlar end pier, while a similar straight length of railings on the right also has an end pier. This gateway serves as the main entrance to Aston Hall, now known as Aughton Court.