Gatehouse And Curtain Wall Of Scales Hall

NY 44 SW SKELTON SCALES

5/249 Gatehouse and curtain wall of Scales Hall

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Gatehouse and short stretch of curtain wall. Late C16. Gatehouse has pink sandstone rubble walls, under graduated greenslate roof with coped gables and shaped finials. Wall of similar rubble with battlemented parapet. 2-storey gatehouse with left wall. Gateway has through segmental archway with roll moulding, under 3-light stone-mullioned window with hoodmould. An inscription over this window is too weathered to read. Arch jambs have slots for bars, but gates now removed. High wall now slopes down to C20 gateway and has survived because steps giving access to the parapet walk behind also give access to studded plank door in a chamfered surround which is in the left return wall of the gatehouse. Rear of gatehouse has been rebuilt in brick over a wooden lintel. Part of the fortified additions to Scales Hall, probably of 1591 for the Southaik family and can be compared with similar C16 curtain walls and gateways at Croglin Low Hall and Askerton Castle; a common feature in Westmorland, these are rare in Cumberland.

Listing NGR: NY4262140015