Burgess Gate

Large twin-towered gatehouse, some 16m wide and high. Of limestone construction with buff/green sandstone ashlar facing (now rather weathered) and chequer-work patterning to the upper stage. The gate consists of a tall four-centred, double-arched entrance placed between a pair of large storeyed drum towers with heavily-battered square plinths. The rear of the gateway is rectangular and has limestone facing. The entrance arch gives onto a vaulted passage between the flanking towers, the defences to which originally comprised gates, a portcullis, murder holes and side arrow slits for lateral fire. Each tower has a rectangular ground floor guard chamber. The upper storey (now lacking its floor) has a large chamber with fireplace occupying the western drum tower and the area above the passage, with a further chamber in the eastern tower; there is a straight mural stair in the western tower and access to the wall walk from either side. Slit windows to the front of the towers and arched windows (much weathered) to the centre and rear of the upper stage.