External Features

Associated with many traditional buildings as well as with more general public space of the settlements in the Park external features such as boundary walls, railings, gates, paths, steps and handrails serve simple functions and occasionally make a declaration of status.

Dry stone walling with various forms of coping form a robust and long-lasting definition of garden and field boundaries and often as an extension of the built form will help to anchor a settlement into its setting.

Gates in walls are normally flanked with massive gritstone gateposts supporting the weight of timber wicket or field gate.

The diagonal bracing should rise from the bottom hinge to the top of the slamming edge.

In the 19th Century industrially produced iron railings gave a much lighter touch to park boundaries while timber fences have probably always served for cottage gardens.

During the Second World War many iron fences and railings were requisitioned for armament production (the stubs of missing railings can still quite commonly be seen) but there is enough good ironwork of the 18th and 19th Century to demonstrate the skills and good design of blacksmiths in most rural areas.