Building record 3320/3/19 - Gates, Gatepiers & Balustrading to Forecourt of Castle Ashby

Gates, gatepiers and balustrading. Dated 1865 to designs by Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt for 3rd Marquis of Northampton. Limestone, terracotta and wrought-iron.

{1} Gates, gatepiers and balustrading. Dated 1865 to designs by Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt for 3rd Marquis of Northampton. Limestone, terracotta and wrought-iron. Lavish gates and gatepiers either end of low retaining wall of forecourt. Gatepiers are of terracotta in early Renaissance style topped by cherubs holding cartouches of arms with marquis coronet above. Flanked by lower pedestrian gates. Ornamental wrought-iron gates and scrolled railings either side. Low stone parapet wall has terracotta copiers.

{4} The terracotta balustrades were manufactured at the works of John Blashfield in Stamford. The gardens were completed in 1864, to the designs of W B Thomas, the ornate balustrades were added about two years later; the whole project was supervised by Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt for the 3rd Marquess of Northampton. The outer balustrades, which separate the terraces from the park, have continuous lettering in imitation of the south parapet of the house itself "The grass withereth and the flower fadeth but the of the Lord endureth for ever" and "Consider the lilies of the field how they grow they toil not neither do they spin and yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Finally comes a Latin dedication to Theodosia, the 3rd marchioness, who died in 1865 before the terraces were complete. Also constructed were two terracotta fountains and a large terracotta urn.

{5} South of the Castle is a forecourt, separated from the park and Grand Avenue by a ha-ha and low wall with urns, at either end of which are ornate Blashfield terracotta gate piers of 1865 (listed grade II) designed by M D Wyatt, supporting older iron gates.

{6} Undated photo;

Randall, D. & J., 1989, House Keepers (Gatehouses), (unchecked) (Article). SNN107798.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 13/18 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F12 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Pearson L., 2003, Gazeteer of British Tile and Architectural Ceramic Sites: County Draft, Northamptonshire, p.1 (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN103233.

<5> English Heritage, 1994, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (1994, Northamptonshire), (unchecked) (Report). SNN1324.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Castle Ashby (Photographs). SNN111838.

Record last edited

Aug 4 2021 4:00PM