Gate Lodge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

An octagonal 2 room single storey cottage, smooth rendered and painted with tetra style portico and slated pyramidal roof. Cottage has a single storey extension. The entrance to the house was under the portico but it is now altered to a sliding sash 16 pane window. The portico columns are fluted Doric order supporting a flat entablature. Each facet of the octagon has a large recessed panel in which is placed a window, casement type but with small panes, some recently replaced and not painted white. The slated roof, low pitch has single chimney stack at the apex. An extension has been added to the lodge and is connected by a porch link. It does not contribute to the
setting of the lodge but neither does it spoil the principal elevation.

This lodge is closely associated with the pillars, gates, railings and anchors for Brookhall (see HB01/25/002D).

Historical information

It is thought the lodge was erected during occupancy of Henry Barré Beresford, though it may have been erected by George Hill. There was another lodge at the north avenue but that one has been demolished and the avenue line changed. The extension was erected c1970s. The gates and pillars appear to be of George Hill’s time.

References

Primary Sources
1. UAFP O.S. Map 1832 Londonderry 13
2. Present Owner

Secondary Sources
1. J A K Dean The Gate Lodges of Ulster p.113

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An early 19th century gate lodge which still retains some of its original Georgian character.It has an interesting plan form and fine portico. Of local historical interest because of the significance of some of the occupants and its association with the entrance to an interesting arboretum as well as being the entrance to Brook Hall. However the relatively large extension has degraded the architectural character considerably.