Gate piers, gates and railings south of Cockfield Hall

Gate piers, gates and railings at south gateway of Cockfield Hall, erected in the mid-C19.

MATERIALS: ashlar stone gate piers, and wrought-iron gates and railings with some cast-iron ornament.

PLAN: the pair of gate piers are square on plan, aligned north-west to south-east, with a vehicular gate between and a side-hung pedestrian gate to each side. The railings extend from the south-east pedestrian gate along the south boundary of the east gate lodge.

DESCRIPTION: the gate piers are square on plan and are constructed of ashlar stone with a pyramidal cap, cornice, shallow buttress to each side and plinth. The vehicular and pedestrian gates each have a top rail with arrow-head finials, and lower urn-shaped finials between. Under the top rail are intermediate railings with fleur-de-lis finials over a round-arched mid-rail. A pair of bottom rails enclose a pair of oblong shapes between each railing, with an arrow-head finial over. The vehicular gate is side-hung on its right side and the pedestrian gates are side-hung on the gate piers; a kissing gate was added to the north-west gate, probably in the late C20 (not in the exact same design as the gates).

The railings run from the south-east pedestrian gate along the south side of the east lodge, and appear to be contemporary with and in the same style as the gates. They stand on a low brick plinth and, similar to the gates, the railings have arrow-head finials and lower urn shaped finials between. The top rail is supported by round-arched braces between each railing, and each sixteenth railing has an anthemion finial. The railings are supported from the rear by sweeping braces, and the railings incorporate a discreet side-hung pedestrian gate south of the lodge.