West entrance gates & twin gate lodges, Portaferry Road, Mount Stewart, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT22 2RU(?)

A pair of single-storey gate lodges built around 1810 to flank the western entrance to the Mount Stewart estate, situated on the east side of the Portaferry Road approximately 2 miles north-west of Greyabbey. These are among the finest surviving examples of Georgian Gothick architecture in County Down, constructed from snecked rubble with distinctive octagonal forms that have earned them the informal description 'ink pot' lodges.

West Lodge

The west lodge combines a rectangular section with octagonal gable ends to the north, with a smaller rectangular section attached to the south. Both sections have roofs following their plan forms, finished in Bangor blue slates with ridge and hip cappings. A tall brick chimney stack, now painted bluish grey, rises from the north section. Cast iron rainwater goods are present throughout.

The north elevation displays two pointed arch windows with 'Y' tracery and stone surrounds. A further similar window sits on each side of the canted bay to the west, which faces directly onto Portaferry Road. The north face of this western bay also carries a similar pointed arch window, whilst the south face contains a timber-glazed door set within a similarly styled opening. The south elevation features a smaller hipped roof section with a matching pointed arch window on its eastern face, finished in roughcast render. The western face of this southern section, again facing Portaferry Road, contains a rectangular window opening (possibly not original) now fitted with a modern frame. The estate wall adjoins the south side of this facade. A low circular rubble wall containing a small planted garden is attached to the north facade of the lodge.

East Lodge

The east lodge, no longer inhabited and currently used as a store, is substantially obscured by vegetation, making the north, south and east elevations difficult to assess. The plan appears to match the north section of the west lodge, but without the southern extension. The roof has octagonal hipped ends finished in Bangor blue slates with stone ridge and hip cappings. An octagonal stone chimney occupies the centre of the roof. The only clearly visible opening is a pointed arch window on the north face of the western canted bay, together with a wrought iron pedestrian gate attached to this same face.

Boundary Wall and Gates

Between the two lodges stands a low wall constructed from matching basalt rubble with a gently curving top. The wall is centred on simple Scrabo stone piers with chamfered caps, each supporting decorative electric carriage lamps mounted on wrought iron scrolls. The gates themselves are fitted with fine detailed decoration and are now operated by hydraulic rams.

Historical Context

Both lodges appear on the Ordnance Survey map of 1834, and whilst definitive evidence is lacking, they were likely constructed between 1804 and 1813. The architects responsible remain uncertain. They may have been designed by George Dance, architect of the contemporary west wing of Mount Stewart house, or by William Vitruvius Morrison, who later redesigned much of the house around 1820-30. Alternatively, they may be the work of well-informed local craftsmen familiar with contemporary Gothick taste, as both lodges share characteristics with the nearby abbey gate lodge of Rosemount House.

The hipped roof section to the rear of the west lodge may not be original; the fact that the two lodges do not otherwise match suggests this could be a later addition.