The late medieval timber gates to Winchester Cathedral’s Grade I listed Prior’s Gate will be removed for conservation from 8.30am on Thursday 14th and the entrance will be closed during the daytime on 14th and Friday 15th August while the gates are replaced by temporary gates. People wishing to enter the Close are asked to use other entrances to Winchester Cathedral including Great Minster Street, Loverose Way and Colebrook Street.
Prior’s Gate will be closed from 8.30am until at least 5.00pm on 14th and 15th August, with work possibly extending into the early evening.
If possible, the work to remove the gates will be completed on Thursday 14th August. But if necessary, the work will continue into Friday 15th August and, in this case, the Close will remain open overnight. Residents have been advised. Access for the emergency services remains unchanged.
The oak gates, believed to date from the 15th century, will be taken to a local specialist workshop where they will be conserved in line with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.
The work is part of a six-month plan to conserve the gates for future generations. To ensure the gates do not dry out during their conservation, they will remain in an outside barn, sheltered from the rain but allowing seasonal fluctuations in air temperature, as when they are in situ.
Temporary gates, the cost of which is generously being supported by Alfred Homes, will be installed immediately after the existing gates are removed. Sponsorships like this are of great importance to the conservation of the cathedral and their creative expertise has enabled Winchester Cathedral to share with visitors to the close the history behind the gates.
Jon Ryan, Winchester Cathedral Director of Works, said: “Back in the early 1990’s, the then Cathedral architect identified the historic Prior’s Gate as being in a state of poor repair. Since then, no work of any significance or record has been undertaken, possibly due to a lack of funding and to avoid the disruption that comes with undertaking this kind of work.
“Three decades later the gates have got to a stage where they are now being held together by a ratchet strap and we really must do something to sympathetically care for, conserve and – where necessary – restore these gates. The gates are protected as part of the Winchester Cathedral Close Scheduled Monument under the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act. As such, work began last year to obtain a ‘Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC).’
“With thanks to Historic England the SMC has been received but to emphasise the historic value that is placed on these gates we have been asked to warn all those involved that ‘any damage or unauthorised works would constitute a criminal offence punishable by unlimited fine or custodial sentence’.
“I’d like to thank all those involved in facilitating this project but especially the incredible skill and knowledge of the carpenter joiners who will have to keep a steady hand when undertaking the work. Whilst the work will be momentarily disruptive, it is satisfying to think the work we do now will allow these gates to live on.”
It’s anticipated the conserved gates will be ready for refitting in February 2026.
