Lenton Lodge (Former Gateway To Wollaton Park) And Attached Bollards

Lenton Lodge, originally a gateway to Wollaton Park, now serves as an office, and is accompanied by attached bollards. Built between 1823 and 1825, it was designed by Sir Jeffrey Wyatville for the 6th Lord Middleton. The building is constructed of ashlar, with lead mortar and lead roofs, and exemplifies the Elizabethan Revival style.

The exterior features multiple side wall stacks with round flues, a moulded plinth, and a string course supported by brackets. Most windows are stone mullioned casements with two lights. The central gatehouse is a prominent feature, with domed corner turrets and a three-storey, three-bay design. It contains a round-arched carriage entrance with framed wooden gates leading to a passage with a coffered barrel vault, originally operated by an underground mechanism which remains. Flanking this are screen walls that conceal outbuildings, and square, projecting pavilions. The gatehouse’s upper levels feature strapwork panels, single windows, a bracketed cornice, and a pierced balustrade. The round corner turrets have four stages, displaying pairs of round-headed windows on the lower floors, single casements on the second floor, and smaller round-arched windows above. The screen walls each have three strapwork gables. The pavilions have round-arched niches set in blank panels and strapwork gables with pediments. Two sets of cast-iron bollards, totaling 38 and linked by spiked chains arranged in unequal triangles either side of the main entrance, are present externally. These chains are secured to the lodge walls via lions' head bosses. The rear elevation mirrors the front with additional windows; each pavilion has a traceried two-light window.

Inside, the lodge has ashlar floors and ceilings supported by cast-iron beams. Ashlar skirtings and dado panels are also present, alongside surviving original wooden doors and frames.

Historically, Lenton Lodge was erected at the main entrance to Wollaton Park from Nottingham, and was connected to a high brick perimeter wall built concurrently around the park. Its fireproof construction and mechanical gates were intended as defensive measures against riotous mobs, culminating in the burning of Nottingham Castle in 1831.