Gatehouse to Kimbolton School is a Grade I listed building in the Huntingdonshire local planning authority area, England. First listed on 24 October 1951. Gatehouse. 2 related planning applications.

Gatehouse to Kimbolton School

WRENN ID
vacant-obsidian-sienna
Grade
I
Local Planning Authority
Huntingdonshire
Constituency
Huntingdon MP: Ben Obese-Jecty (Con)
Country
England
Date first listed
24 October 1951
Type
Gatehouse
Address
Gatehouse to Kimbolton School, Castle Green
OS grid reference
TL 100 676
Coordinates
52.29617, -0.38828
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: related consents · flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The Gatehouse to Kimbolton School, built between 1764 and 1766 by Robert Adam for the fourth Duke of Manchester, is a Grade I listed structure located at Kimbolton Castle Green. This gatehouse is connected to two flanking pavilions by single-storey ranges and is constructed of red brick with Ketton stone ashlar. It was re-roofed in 1858 with slate.

The gatehouse features symmetrical east and west elevations, with a central semi-circular headed archway that has a rusticated surround. This archway is flanked by two hung sash windows with glazing bars, which are framed by Gibbs surrounds and separated by two engaged Doric columns and two pilasters. Above, there is a Doric frieze adorned with mutules above triglyphs that alternate with plain metopes, along with guttae below. A moulded cornice is topped by a balustrade that seals the area above the archway. The entrance has panelled double doors, one of which includes a tradesman's door with an iron door knocker shaped like a lion's head mask.

The slightly recessed link ranges consist of three semi-circular headed bays, each divided by pilasters and featuring one hung sash window with glazing bars. These link ranges have a moulded cornice topped by a parapet that is lower than that of the gatehouse and pavilions, which have gable end pediments. Angle pilasters with a similar Doric entablature flank a semi-circular headed bay that contains a round-headed niche with a rusticated surround.

Inside, the archway retains two original doors, each with six raised and fielded panels. The north part of the gatehouse housed the Castle brewhouse, where one brick vat is still visible in the north pavilion, while the laundry was located in the south part. A rainwater head dated 1858 is attached to an internal downpipe in the north section, likely marking the date of the gatehouse's re-roofing. The original 18th-century king post roof trusses are still present.

Local climate

Gatehouse to Kimbolton School sits in one of the driest parts of the UK, with an average of 690 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 97% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 92% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 35 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 54% of listed buildings. Of these, 16 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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  • No EPC on record for this property
  • No sale records on file
  • Related listed building consents — 2 applications
  • Detailed attributes — period, style, materials, features
  • Flood risk assessment
  • Radon risk assessment
  • Weather exposure and heating demand — rain and frost month by month and year by year, wind direction, solar and humidity
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Nearby listed buildings

  1. Wall and Gate Piers to South West of Gatehouse at Kimbolton School Grade II 28 m
  2. Parratt's Garage Grade II 40 m
  3. 1, Castle Green Grade II 43 m
  4. 1 AND 2, HIGH STREET (See details for further address information) Grade II 44 m
  5. George House Grade II 45 m
  6. 3, High Street Grade II 52 m
  7. The Tinderbox Grade II 55 m
  8. 12 and 14, High Street Grade II 58 m
  9. 5 and 7, High Street Grade II 59 m
  10. Mayes Grade II 65 m