Iron Gate and Gate Piers at NW entrance to Leighton Hall

Cadw's description

Location

Located approximately 1.3km SSW of Leighton church and situated on a private drive to the hall E of B4388.

History

Early 1850s at the principal entrance to Leighton Hall. Leighton Hall was built 1850-56 by the Liverpool architect W.H. Gee for John Naylor. Naylor, a Liverpool banker, had acquired the Leighton Estate in 1846-47 and embarked on an ambitious programme of building, notably the church, Leighton Hall and Leighton Farm, all designed by Gee and completed by the mid 1850s. He continued to extend and improve the Estate until his death in 1889. His grandson, Captain J.M. Naylor, sold Leighton Hall and the Estate in 1931.

Exterior

Wrought iron gate with cast iron piers. The piers are formed of 2 tiers of open tracery with square bases and octagonal caps. The gate is formed of 4 bays of round arches with inset trefoils and with fleur de lys finials, beneath which are railings with similar finials.

Reason for designation

The Leighton Estate is an exceptional example of high-Victorian estate development. It is remarkable for the scale and ambition of its conception and planning, the consistency of its design, the extent of its survival, and is the most complete example of its type in Wales. The gate and gate piers are a good example of mid C19 ironwork and, together with the main entrance and lodges, are an integral component of the group of buildings which contribute to the setting of Leighton Hall, the centrepiece of the Leighton Estate.