THE SOUTH GATEHOUSEÂ & WINTER GARDEN
The Early Gatehouse. It is thought the Gatehouse has been here since Sir Richard Choke’s purchase of the Manor in the 1450s. There may have been an earlier gatehouse here or nearby, providing access to inner courtyards, offices and stabling. As times grew more secure and carriages larger, stabling developed outside the fortified manor and the gatehouse survived largely unchanged until the start of the nineteenth century. It was single storey with turrets at each corner, as appears in the Collinson engraving by T Bonner, published in 1792.
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The principal access to Ashton Court was from the Rownham ferry crossing and Bedminster via the now blocked Parklands Road, across Smyth field and the south or front court, now the south lawn. When this and other routes were closed by Act of Parliament in the early 1800s, horse and carriage access was from the new Town or Lower Lodge via a long south west drive or Kennel Lodge road to the east.
CHANGES MADE FOR GREVILLE SMYTH
Image: FAM volunteer (2021)
Changes were made for Greville Smyth. In 1873, architect Benjamin Ferrey’s works were described by a contemporary saying the ‘Gatehouse has been raised considerably and in a great measure rebuilt and is surmounted by two octagonal towers which rise to a height of 72 ft’. Ferrey was also responsible for ‘a covered passage running the south side of the inner court which opens into the court by the arcading of five bays’ and also probably the ‘grotesques’ around the columns.
1885 WORKS
Image: FAM volunteer (2021)
In 1885 the Gatehouse was refaced and further enlarged by architect C.E Davis. Internally he introduced a large central column and fan vaulting - an English style from 1350s Gloucester Cathedral.
THE WINTER GARDEN
Image: Mb6040 ©Bristol Culture
This impressive entrance only opened onto a small internal courtyard or ‘clock court’, between the 15th century kitchens and Buckhorn Corridor and Ferrey’s arcade. He glazed over this area and created an elaborate, heated Winter Garden with waterfalls, tropical plants and birds for Greville Smyth’s new bride Emily.
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​It's unclear who blocked up the small east gatehouse tower room, or moved the ‘perpendicular’ window to open a passageway between the courtyard and Great Hall.
COUNCIL OWNERSHIP
Image: FAM volunteer (2021)
The surviving glass roof was removed, the dilapidated 15th century kitchens demolished and replaced in 1970s with a solid roof, modern bar and kitchen.
THE SOUTH GATEHOUSE & WINTER GARDEN - THEN AND NOW
Then image: Mb6070 ©Bristol Culture (not dated)
Now image: FAM volunteer 2021