Gateford Hall

Gateford Hall
Nottinghamshire
Location
Grid reference:	SK56958155
Location:	53°19’40"N, 1°8’47"W
History
	Country house
Information

Gateford Hall is a mediæval moated manor house, altered in the 17th century. The owner of the estate in 1824 built a replacement house as his seat, Gateford Hill (now a nursing home) but the original manor house remains, and part of the moat survives. The house is a Grade II* listed building.

Within the park are related outbuildings including an early-19th century farm.

History

Gateford was probably in the manor of Worksop at the time of the Domesday Book. The estate was awarded to a local family, the de Gatefords, by the lord of Worksop. It is referred to as “De Gaytef” in the c1130 Worksop Priory endowment charter.

The date of the moat is uncertain, but by its type, it is likely to have been created around c1250-1350. A window opening on the rear of the hall appears to be 14th century, perhaps contemporary with the moat.

The hall and moat were probably built by the de Gateford family, and the estate remained in the family for many generations, eventually passing to the Pilkingtons, the Townleys, and then, in the mid-16th century, the Lascelles. By the early-17th century, there existed a park at Gateford, to the north of the hall, and much larger than the present park.

Gateford passed by marriage to the Rodes family (of Barlborough Hall) in the mid-17th century. The hall was converted into a tenanted farm and the parkland used for grazing.

The manor house was altered and extended in the later-17th century, but much of the original timber framing survives behind the later stonework.

In around 1823, Gateford Hall was inherited by Henry Machin, who in 1824 built his new house, Gatefod Hill, on the farmland to the north of the hall.

Outside links

• Gateford: Nottinghamshire History