Beckford's Gate

This is a gateway, likely dating from around 1826, and possibly designed by HE Goodridge. It marks the northern end of Beckford’s Ride, originally leading to Beckford’s Tower (a separate listed building). The gateway is rectangular in plan and built in a castellated style using limestone ashlar. It stands approximately 10 metres high and 5 metres wide. The coped battlements feature a heavy roll-moulded string course above the machicolation. Offset angle buttresses, also with similar string courses over splayed bases, flank a semicircular recess, approximately 4 metres high. This recess is set back from a further recess and has a roll-moulded arris leading to a plank-and-studded door with ornate strap hinges. Above the door is a triple-recessed panel displaying a carved Beckford Arms. A separate, ivy-covered block to the rear, approximately 5 metres high and with offset buttresses, incorporates a 20th-century metal fire escape. Squared rubblestone walls, also about 4 metres high, project at right angles, featuring rebates for semicircular arches. The arch to the left has a segmental-arched top containing a gate with long and short railings; there is no gate to the right. Originally, the gateway provided access to Beckford's Ride, leading from his gardens above Lansdown Crescent into open land towards his tower, located a mile and a half away. It served as a literal gateway to a private domain and represents a remarkable garden structure in a distinctive style.