Wall, Railings And Gate To The West Of The Kennet And Avon Canal

The wall, railings, and gate located to the west of the Kennet and Avon Canal were constructed around 1800, with some later restorations. The wall is made of limestone ashlar and stands approximately 2 meters high and 30 meters long, connecting two footbridges. It features a plain coped retaining wall that curves in quadrants at the center, leading to an elaborate pedestrian gate designed with geometric patterns, including ovals on the horizontal central panel and diagonal bars on the three panels at the top and bottom. On either side of the gate, there are quadrant-shaped spaces with matching cast iron panels. The upper horizontal rails curve upward at the sides, and the panels are topped with cast iron ball finials. About 3 meters to the east, across the footpath along the verge of the Kennet and Avon Canal, there are three additional similar panels of railing with swept supports at the rear. The canal's course was laid out by John Rennie in 1796, with construction beginning in 1799. The careful design of this structure, as insisted upon by the Proprietors of Sydney Gardens, enhanced the visual appeal of Sydney Gardens upon its completion.