February 2021

13 Buckden Roundabout February 2021 Gatehouse Repair Conserving our Heritage The Repair of the Grade I listed Outer Gatehouse at Buckden Towers. Conservation architect, Robert Davies RIBA AABC. After years of fundraising and preparation, the conservation and repair of the Outer Gatehouse to Buckden Towers is finally underway thanks to a generous repair grant from Historic Eng- land, and funds raised by the Friends of Buckden Towers and the Claretian Missionaries Trust. The historic buildings that form Buckden Towers are recog- nised as being of national historic importance. Not only is the site protected as a scheduled monument, but the oldest struc- tures are also Grade I Listed – the highest grade of listing pro- vided by Historic England which is reserved for the most im- portant historic buildings and structures in the country. The Outer Gatehouse, which is located within the boundary wall to the High Street, is perhaps the least obvious of these nationally important buildings. Despite its size and lack of gran- deur compared to the Great Tower or the Inner Gatehouse, the Outer Gatehouse has a long and important history as the main entrance to the grounds dating back over 400 years to when it was first constructed. The number of people, horse and carts, carriages, and motor- ised vehicles that have passed through the gates over the cen- turies is impossible to imagine: from royal dignitaries, including Catherine of Aragon, James I and the Prince Regent, to bishops and members of the clergy, and the many thousands of people who have visited the Towers. However, for the last few years the decorative metal gates of the Outer Gatehouse have been closed. As with all historic buildings, the Outer Gatehouse has long battled the effects of deterioration and decay caused by the weather and general wear and tear, and to the poor detailing and inappropriate repairs typical of the mid - twentieth century. (Continued on page 14) Aerial view of Buckden Towers (credit Mathew Power Photography) Outer Gatehouse Outer Gatehouse viewed from the High Street Rotten timbers and damage to the vaulted ceiling