Main Gates at former RAF West Raynham

Two sets of gates providing access to the east and west parts of former RAF West Raynham, constructed between 1936 and 1939.

MATERIALS: wrought iron gates and railings, brick gate piers with limestone dressings, and concrete bases.

DESCRIPTON: two sets of gates and railings are located opposite each other on the main east-west driveway of RAF West Raynham, providing access to the former Officers' Mess and Married Officers' Quarters to the west, and the main site to the east; the former Guard Room and Station Headquarters stand just inside the east gates.

Each set comprises double gates flanked by pedestrian gates, with railings curving to the north and south on concrete bases, braced from the rear. The railings terminate with square-plan buff-brick piers with limestone copings and ball finials. Both gates and railings have pointed square-section railings, with horizontal rails at their base, centre and top levels. The double and pedestrian gates also feature a semi-circular arc between the top and base rails, which when closed, appear to form an oval. The gates are hung from hexagonal piers formed from open iron cage work, which rise to four finials, a six-pointed star on each face, and a lantern. The lanterns on the west gates have been removed, and the lanterns on the east gates were replaced in the early C21, and the east gates mechanised.