Gate Piers And Gate At Main Entrance To Prior Park

The gate piers and gates at the main entrance to Prior Park were built around 1740 by John Wood the Elder. They are made of limestone ashlar and feature wrought and cast iron gates. The pair of rusticated piers are approximately 1.4 meters square and 4.5 meters high, with moulded bases that are mostly hidden by later paving. The wide moulded cappings, which have a double blocking course, support large decorative urns. The hanging stiles have decorative scroll heads and hold a pair of fine iron gates that have a concave top rail, twisted main and dog bars, and embellishments, likely added in the mid-19th century.

On either side of the gates, there is a short section of ashlar wall with a pedestrian opening that has a segmental head and keystone, although the doors or gates have been removed. To the right, adjacent to the main road, there is a quadrant of wall that connects to the main boundary wall, along with a triangular section of walling, both topped with low iron spiked railings.

These impressive gates, one of five pairs of large gate piers in close proximity, mark the entrance to Ralph Allen's estate and reflect the grandeur of his vision to create a magnificent residence using locally quarried stone. The urns are particularly notable for their size, showcasing the quality of Bath stone from Allen's quarries and the skill of his masons in working with large blocks.