(click image to enlarge)
The York Watergate is thought to have been built to designs by Inigo Jones in circa 1626. It marked the private landing stage at the bottom of the garden of the opulent York House, which from 1622 belonged to James I’s favourite, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. York House was considered the finest of the other mansions, at least 12, that stood on the south side of the Strand (which means ‘shore of the river’) and all had direct and private access to the Thames. However in the mid nineteenth century, much of the north river bank was reclaimed, including using spoil from the excavation of the District Line, and the gate now sits 100 metres back from the edge of the Thames. The Villier’s arms and motto are still visible on the Italianate curved pediment of the arch.
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