North-East Gate and Railings, St Nicholas Gardens

The North-East Gate and Railings at St Nicholas Gardens were created in 1755 for Sir James Lowther, the 4th Baronet of Whitehaven.

The gate and railings are made of wrought iron, featuring both fire-welded and mechanical joints, which are riveted or bolted. The gate consists of three panels set within a frame of forged iron rails and styles. The open panels are filled with plain square section bars, each topped with short elaborated spear finials. An ornate open scroll panel serves as a mullion between the top panels, and a similar scroll panel forms the mid-rail. A gate latch is located at one end of the mid-rail, accompanied by a wrought-iron handle attached to a narrow plain vertical panel against the lock style.

The gate is flanked by two tall narrow open scroll panels that act as gate posts, supported by curved wrought-iron braces. Above the gate, a semi-circular strap spans between the panels, topped by a decorative strapwork overthrow dated 1755, which features a central shield with the Lowther crest and a wyvern finial.

On either side of the gate, there are identical side railing panels designed similarly to the gate, with spiked bars and decorative scroll overthrows. The railings are complemented by matching end panels that mirror the tall panels beside the gate, maintaining the structure's symmetry. Each panel is set into a dwarf ashlar wall with a chamfered upper surface. The railings connect at each end to later secondary panels of simple spiked railings that flank the ashlar steps leading up to the gateway.