Pyramid Gatehouse And Flanking Wings

The Pyramid Gatehouse and flanking wings form a prominent feature of the entrance to Castle Howard. The gatehouse was built in 1719 by Sir John Vanbrugh for Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle, while the flanking wings date from 1756 and were designed by Sir Thomas Robinson for Henry Howard, 4th Earl of Carlisle. The gatehouse is constructed of limestone ashlar with a stone slate roof. It features a round arch, above which are the Carlisle arms. Above the arch is a machicolation with a central keystone depicting a head in relief, and a plaque reading "Carolus Howard Comes Carliolensis Hoc Condidit Anno Dni MDCCXIX". A pyramidal roof tops the gatehouse and serves as an eyecatcher. The interior of the arch is vaulted. A Victorian wall letter box is also present. The entrances to the flanking wings have 6-fielded-panel double doors set beneath flat stone arches with blind lunettes above. The flanking wings are two storeys high, with eight bays, arranged in a symmetrical composition. The second and outer bays project forward and are pedimented. Ground-floor windows are round-arched sashes, recessed within a keyed arcade, while first-floor windows have six panes and some are casements. A moulded cornice and parapet run along the top of the wings, finished with ball finials on the pediments. Rainwater heads are dated 1758. At the rear of the left wing gable end are two cellars, served by a balcony supported by a Tuscan column and accessed via an L-shaped flight of steps leading to a gable end door. A machicolated square turret adjoins the stairs. The interior of the left wing was destroyed by fire in 1923 and subsequently refurbished. Documents in the Castle Howard Archives confirm that Sir Thomas Robinson designed the wings, revising earlier attributions to Daniel Garrett.