Reasons for Designation
Lulworth Castle is an unusually large post-medieval hunting lodge. Its design
reflects a contemporary taste for the use of 'castle architecture' within
unfortified residences during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I and its
setting is typical of early 17th century hunting lodges, which were often
isolated within a prominent part of a deerpark.
Successive owners continued to enhance the castle and its estate following the
conversion of the hunting lodge into a full scale residence. These
enhancements included the first Roman Catholic chapel built since the
Reformation in 1786/87 and the ealled park with its gatehouse. The North
Lodges were built in strongly ornamented style reflecting the overall status
and appearence of the castle and are an important component of the whole
Lulworth ensemble. They are also in their own right important and distinctive
examples of 18th century ornamental architecture, drawing much of their
character from its relationship to the castle and to its location.
Details
The monument includes Lulworth Castle North Lodges and adjacent area of park
walls, situated on a gentle north east facing slope, to the north of Lulworth
Castle.
The North Lodges which are Listed Grade II*, date to 1785 and mark the
northern entrance to the park formerly associated with Lulworth Castle. It
comprises two lodges of two-storeys, which flank a main gateway. The
structures are all ashlar faced, with brick backing.
The two lodges are each triangular in plan, with a rounded turret at each
corner. The front has an embattled parapet, with moulded cornice below. The
entrance doors are situated on the northern side and are associated with
windows in flat wall faces.
The two lodges lie on each side of a gateway, which consists of two narrow
openings with segmental heads, flanked by stone piers from which plain wrought
iron gates are hung. The stone piers each have a round headed niche below an
oval panel which bearing the Weld Arms (to the north) and the date 1785 to the
south.
The lodges and gateway form part of an extended facade comprising
approximately 55m lengths of park wall terminated and punctuated by six rounds
towers, 1.8m in diameter and 4.5m high.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
33496
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
