Northbrook House

Ashlar limestone triumphal arch, erected c.1860, at entrance to Northbrook ountry house. Comprising round vehicular entrance arch, flanked by lower round pedestrian arches. Main arch has moulded cornice with dentil course, carved roundels to recessed panels to spandrels, carved archivolts with keystones, moulded imposts, atop rusticated piers with moulded plinths. Pedestrian entrances having moulded cornices, recessed panels to spandrels, moulded archivolts with keystones and moulded imposts, cut-stone piers with moulded plinths. Wrought-iron spearheaded double-leaf gate to main arch, having carved stone wheelguards, and matching pedestrian gates and railings, latter to moulded plinths.

An good example of a triumphal arch demesne gateway. A variation on the Palladian or Serlian arch, the arrangement of a tall central arch flanked by lower ones is visually pleasing and also a sensible engineering solution as it allows the central arch to be buttressed at the springing by the arches to each side. It was the entrance to Northbrook House, which had previously been the site of a smaller building called Northbrook Cottage, and home to the North family. This imposing entrance is probably contemporary with the new building, in keeping with its enhanced status. The limestone work, particularly that of the arches, is evidently the work of skilled craftsmen.