Lodge, Gates and Walls at Great Malvern Cemetery

Gate lodge, gates and boundary wall to Great Malvern Cemetery by WH Knight of 1861 - 1863.

MATERIALS: the lodge is built of stone under a tile roof, and has a brick extension to the rear. The gate piers and boundary walls are also of stone, and the gates are of cast iron.

PLAN: when approaching the cemetery along Wilton Road, the boundary walls stand with a long section to the north-west and shorter section with gates to the north. The lodge is just beyond, within the cemetery but close to the boundary.

EXTERIOR: there are two pairs of gates within the boundary walls. The first, at the southern end, now give access to a modern house. There is one large pier marking the end of the wall, and two piers either side of the gate. The piers themselves have large square bases which then taper in the manner of a broach spire and are surmounted by large octagonal finials. These have relief trefoil panels and small lucarnes. The original cast-iron gates survive.

There is then a long section of random stone walling with ashlar cappings, with an approximately central projection with carved panels setting out the cemetery regulations. The panels are contained in moulded ashlar surrounds with a moulded gable above, and stand proud of the wall to either side.

At the north end are further gates and piers matching the others, and a pedestrian gate to one side. The right-hand pier retains a letter box and a hole for what appears to have been a bell pull, which would have connected to a bell at the lodge.

The LODGE is a roughly rectangular structure, with a bow window on its west elevation facing the cemetery entrance. Window panes in the mullioned and transomed bow are inserted directly into the stone, rather than frames. Above the bow is a window in a pointed surround with carved hoodmould and label stops, and to the north a door in a moulded surround gives access to a short lean-to passage and the main entrance. Above the entrance, a carved stone panel gives the date 1861.

The north and south elevations have projecting gables with further pointed arch windows. At the apex of the south gable is what appears to be a small belfry. To the east is a mid-C20 brick extension with casement windows.

INTERIOR: the interior of the lodge retains a number of original fire surrounds, including in the main ground floor room where there is a large black surround with inset panels and tiles. There is a dogleg stair with chamfered balustrading accessing the upper floor.