Arched Gate and adjoining Balustrade 200m NE of the New Lodge

Cadw's description

Location

Located on the wooded SE side of a lane leading from the New Lodge to Plas Brondanw, in front of the waterfall and disused quarry below the Flaming Urn Monument.

History

Constructed c1953 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, architect and owner of the estate, as a visual foil for the Flaming Urn Monument, built to commemorate the rebuilding (after fire) of Plas Brondanw. The disused quarry beneath the monument was turned into a landscape feature with waterfall and pool; this architectural feature was designed to complement and enhance this. One of a number of follies and ''eye catchers'' erected by the architect on the estate and in the village of Garreg.

Exterior

Architectural ''folly'' composition consisting of a curved section of wall with arched gateway and gate, and an adjoining balustraded parapet. The wall is of local rubble and curves in a convex arc towards the road to the W. It rises in stages to a maximum height of roughly 2.2m at the arch; this is round-headed and has a simple decorative wrought iron gate with small crown-motif overthrow. Above this, surmounting the wall''s slate capping, is a sandstone ball finial. The wall steps down in 4 stages to the R where it curves again to join the balustrade. This is of sandstone and is reused C19 material; it is some 2.5m long and has turned balusters and a moulded rail between square piers with lozenge decoration to the main faces. The balustrade has a culvert passing beneath it, carrying the excess from the waterfall beneath the road. In front, a section of cobbled pavement with, to the L a partly-cobbled path leading to the neighbouring arch.

Reason for designation

Included for group value with the Flaming Urn Monument.