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Blackmoors Lane, BRISTOL, BS3 2JL

Ashton gatehouse has been restored after some extensive and expensive care - it was all but gutted after years of neglect and vandalism. Now it can offer a special business meeting facility, as well as being a historic asset. Sadly, the restoration was constrained by its grade listing, which demanded lead sheeting for the roofing. Shortly after completion, thieves stole some of it from the lower west roof.

The gatehouse was once home to two families and this room above the gate was partitioned. Today, after much-needed care, the gatehouse offers a splendid new facility for hire. It now has many modern business tools as well as some regency gothic style.

The Ashton gatehouse was home to two families during its original use, with some simple home utensils. After restoration, many items of various ages were found and have been presented for visitors.

The Ashton gatehouse was originally part of the Smyth estate. After some earlier ups and downs on many other businesses, the family made a fortune in the mid-eighteenth century after local coal measures were discovered. The estate at that time was not terribly opulent, so advice was sought from Humphrey Repton: he suggested some improvements to the landscape and Henry Woods was employed to design them. One such was this gatehouse, built around 1805. It served well as an entrance to the mansion further up the hill and was home to two families of keepers at the same time - the house was divided in two on the upper floor. It is thought that up to twelve people lived here at the peak. Sadly, the Smyths fortunes declined in the twentieth century and the last of the line, Esme Smyth, died in 1946. The estate was passed onto the city council, despite the latter having money after the ravages of WWII. Using some of the land, Ashton Park school was built right beside the gatehouse and the A370 now goes right in front of it. It was used as a store for a while but was largely left to rot. After being left to fall into a severe state, money was ultimately scraped together and the past year or so has seen the gatehouse restored to a modern and useful asset.

This gatehouse was in use for the Smyth family from the early nineteenth century, but finally came to an end in 1946 with the last of the family bequeathing the estate to Bristol City council. Once in their possession, it was decided to use some of the land right beside it to create a new school. Left derelict for many years, it has finally been restored.

The ironwork has been restored, as has the gatehouse. Beyond the glass panels is a beautifully recreated and functional interior.

With its own website.

From the playing fields