The outer gatehouse was a late addition to the moated residence. It was built to display the family’s status and formed an impressive entrance to the Heydon’s property. Part of an outer court, it was flanked on one side by a row of cottages and on the other by a long barn.
The Heydon lords at Baconsthorpe continued to lead extravagant lifestyles and embark on building programs, but they were poor estate managers. This led to the accumulation of large debts and eventually the downfall of the Heydon family.
After the demolition of the main castle, the gatehouse was converted into a private dwelling and was occupied until 1920, when one of the towers collapsed.
Disclaimer
The text and pictures on this page are derived from the 'Heritage Unlocked' series of guidebooks published in 2004. We intend to review, update and enhance the content in the near future as part of the Portico project, whose objective is to provide information on the history, significance, research background and sources for all English Heritage properties.
