The Gate Lodge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A one-and-a-half-storey single-bay gate lodge built c.1870 to designs by Young & Mackenzie located on Bangor Road at entrance to Culloden Hotel (HB. 23.18.017). Rectangular on plan with additional lower entrance bay to left, abutted by single-storey porch to re-entrant angle; slightly lower return to east, all abutted to rear by sympathetic extension and conservatory.

Pitched natural slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, raised stone skews terminated by fleur de lys finials. Paired ashlar sandstone polygonal chimney stacks on rock-face stone plinth at right gable with tapered caps. Ogee cast-iron rainwater goods on bead-moulded sandstone eaves. Walling is rock-faced sandstone on squared and uncoursed projecting plinth. Feather-edged quoins. Windows are replacement timber casements in blocked sandstone ashlar reveals with chamfered cills.

The principal elevation faces west. Main body of gate lodge has a canted bay window to ground floor and wall head dormer to attic having shoulder-headed window opening. Porch contains pointed-arch headed entrance opening with chamfered ashlar surround and herringbone sheeted timber door with brass central knob; window to left cheek.

Left gable has single window to attic. Lower bay is abutted at left side by conservatory.

Rear elevation is abutted by the return at centre of main block, almost completely abutted by extension. Return has single window to south. Right gable has central projecting chimney breast with small windows to its right lighting each floor.

Setting

Directly to west, former entrance now with polygonal ashlar sandstone piers with foliate carving and pointed caps (central pier removed). Curved boundary entrance walls of rock-faced stone surmounted by cast iron railings with large polished granite entrance signs to hotel. Hedge boundaries to other elevations.

Roof: Natural Slate
Walling: sandstone
Windows: timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

According to Dean, the gate lodge was built to designs by Young & Mackenzie in 1876, at the same time as Culloden House itself. Two gate lodges were originally commissioned and drawings for these, dated 1875, have survived. The ‘Bangor Lodge’ was demolished during a road realignment scheme, the remaining building being known as the ‘Belfast Lodge’. Dean comments, “Clearly the architect was familiar with Edward Blore’s lodge at Ballydrain, Co Antrim with which it has a marked resemblance.” (Dean, p.72)

The gate lodge first enters valuation records when it is listed in Annual Revisions in 1877 as part of the estate of Culloden House. No separate valuation is given for the lodge at this time, which is valued with the rest of the property at £250.

In 1933 the gate lodge is listed as being occupied by George Flinn and leased from Lady Emily Campbell, the occupant of the main house. The lodge is valued at £9.10s and comprises two bedrooms, one reception and a kitchen. It is supplied with spring water and gas lighting. A plan and dimensions are given.

The lodge is currently in use as offices.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/1/3 – Third Edition OS Map 1900-02
2. PRONI OS/6/3/1/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1919-31
3. PRONI OS/6/3/1/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1938-41
4. PRONI VAL/12/A/3/21 – Annual Revisions Valuers Notebook
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/17/10A-G – Annual Revisions (1867-1930)
6. PRONI VAL/12/B/17/11A-C – Annual Revisions (1888-1930)
7. PRONI VAL/12/D/3/1 – Annual Revisions Maps (186 – 19 )
8. PRONI VAL/12/E/93/1 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (c1919-c1935)
9. PRONI VAL/3/D/4/4/A/1 – Valuer’s RV Binder (1933-57)
10. PRONI D2194/101 – Specifications 1875-1894
11. Architect 18, 8 Dec 1877, suppl. p.312 (illus.)

Secondary Sources

1. Brett, C.E.B. “Buildings of North County Down” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 2002
2. Dean, J. A. K. “The Gate Lodges of Ulster: A Gazetteer.” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1994.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A one-and-a-half-storey single-bay gate lodge built c.1870 to designs by Young & Mackenzie at entrance to the Culloden Hotel (HB23/18/017A). Much altered, the interior has been modernised and there is significant loss to architectural detailing. However, the lodge retains some architectural presence and forms an important group with the Hotel and is the work of an important local firm of architects.

General comments

Previoulsy recorded as HB23/18/018