SNN117140 - Archaeological Standing Building Recording, The Gatehouse (Delapré Lodge) Delapré Abbey London Road Northampton, July 2025

Border Archaeology has carried out a programme of Archaeological Standing Building Recording to Historic England Level 2 on behalf of West Northamptonshire Council in connection with the proposed refurbishment and alteration of the Gatehouse (Delapré Lodge), a non-designated heritage asset forming part of the curtilage listing Delapré Abbey, London Road, Northampton. These proposed refurbishment works are being carried out to create offices and a meeting room for Far Cotton and Delapré Community Council. This report presents the results of the recording survey, which, in summary, found that the building represents a good example of an 18th century park lodge which, in terms of the external historic form and fabric, survives virtually intact, apart from the addition of a modern extension on the north elevation built in 1980 of ashlar masonry. The building retains largely intact Dutch gables and canted bay windows with a notable decorated porch with moulded round arched doorway flanked by squared pilasters with foliate capitals supporting a parapet with crenels on the south elevation. It was noted however that many of the historic decorative elements, including stringcourses, crenels, roundels and finials, are heavily worn with much finely detailed stone carving eroded and defaced. Significant pitting of the masonry was also noted around the front door and elsewhere. By contrast with the exterior, the internal rooms, while preserving the original ground plan and some doors and window openings, retain few original fixture and fittings, with, in particular, the removal of original fireplace surrounds. Additionally, considerable water damage was noted due to deterioration of the roof covering.