The Lion Gate, Wedderburn Castle

The Lion Gate at Wedderburn Castle is an impressive structure designed by J Shaw of York, completed around 1790 and finished in 1794.

The northwest elevation features a tall round-arched carriage gateway made of ashlar stone, which is framed by cornice and panelled piers. The design includes a breaking cornice with round niches and a pediment, flanked by Coade stone lions in a reclining position. On either side, there are droved ashlar coped quadrant walls that lead to advanced sentry pavilions. Each pavilion has a slightly advanced central panel with a round-arched recess, a deep niche to the left, and an ornamental iron gate to the right. The pavilions also have a base course, cornice, and parapet, with a string course leading to a blocking course above, topped with a block pediment and a coped stack at the apex.

The southeast elevation includes a lodge on the left side. It has a 7-bay arrangement grouped as 1-3-3. The outer right section features a base course for the 3-bay group. The central bay is slightly advanced and has a pediment, with a band course at eaves height and a round-arched panel recess that contains a boarded door and flanking lights, along with a roundel above. Each flanking bay has a window with a broken pediment. The central 3-bay group is constructed of rubble with droved ashlar dressings and is set back from the 3-bay group on the right, which includes a small window flanked by a later bipartite window on the left and a boarded door on the right. The outer right bay features stugged squared and snecked sandstone with droved ashlar dressings and a bipartite window.

The lodge has 4-pane timber sash and case windows and a slate roof, with a brick stack located between the outer bay on the left and the central 3-bay group.

The gates are ornamental wrought-iron, consisting of two leaves with a curved top that complements the quadrant walls.

The boundary wall surrounding the property is a tall rubble wall with harl-pointed finish and flat ashlar coping. It has some breaks and dips in a few places.