Gate Piers And Gates To Drive At Prior Park

The gate piers and gates at the drive to Prior Park were likely designed by John Wood the Elder around 1740. They are made of limestone ashlar and wrought and cast iron. The rusticated piers are approximately 1.2 meters square and 4.5 meters high, standing on a moulded base that is partially hidden by the rise in the surrounding ground. Each pier features wide moulded cappings and a double blocking course that supports large, horizontally moulded urns. The outer faces of the piers are inscribed with the words "PRIOR PARK" and "COLLEGE." The iron gates are hung on stiles with modelled consoles and have a concave top rail, along with twisted main and dog bars.

These piers are the middle pair of three pairs that mark the entrances to the Prior Park estate from Ralph Allen Drive. Their exact origin is unclear. They are identical to the piers at the south end of Ralph Allen Drive, at the junction with North Road, but the entrance they currently flank was only created in 1836 during works overseen by H.E. Goodridge for Bishop Baines. No entrance is shown in this location on Thorpe and Overton's survey from around 1762. It is possible that these piers were moved from another location on the estate or are 1830s replicas of the original 1740 design. The piers are particularly notable for the size of the urns, showcasing the quality of Bath stone from Ralph Allen's quarries and its capacity for large-scale work.