South West Gate

The local name for this gate is the "Five Arches", although on close inspection six arches can be seen. On initial construction of the Town defenses there was no South West Gate as is seen today, the entrance to the town was a simple arch through the 13th Century wall, with no outer defenses. The massive slots which housed the wooden bolts of the gates can still be seen today.

In latter years, there followed a construction of a semi roofed barbican, pierced only by a single arch, (the leftmost arch as seen in the picture adjacent), so placed as to make necessary a right-angled turn by any attacker wishing to reach the inner gate.

In this arch the portcullis slots may still be seen. The fortification was subsequently increased in height with the addition of battlements. At a later date, at the time of the French Revolutionary War, the walk was roofed over so as to provide a store for arms and ammunition.

There is a plaque outside of the gate commemorating a high court action of 1873 whereby Doctor Chater, a local resident, obtained a permanent injunction against the corporation preventing them from taking down any part of the town walls, towers, and gates, something which it had attempted in earlier years, and had finally decided upon in the 1870's. Doctor Chater's action was taken as a private individual, and at his own expense.