Building record 0446503008 - TRIUMPHAL ARCH, WEST WYCOMBE

Grade II+. Later C18 park building. Knapped flints with ashlar and stucco dressings. Tall arch with ashlar imposts, archivolt and keystone. Flanking pairs of attached Roman Doric columns on plinths; entablature breaking forward over columns, parapet with 2 pairs of pedestals and central oblong panel inscribed 'Libertati Amici [ue] Sac [rum]'. Archway has patterned stone paving, 2 arched niches and painted coffering to soffit of arch (B9).
Garden temple in West Wycombe Park which was intended as the entrance to the stables at a time when the main approach to the house was to the east front. It shares similarities with the East Portico and was probably built by Donowell shortly before his dimissal in 1764. Shortly after Revett built the West Portico circa 1770 the arch was redesigned with an additional rear alcove (the Exhedra) housing the statue of Apollo Belvedere and screening the new domestic ranges to the rear of the house. The temple is also known as the Cockpit Arch since it once held cages in the archway with a sandpit below for cockfighting. The entablature above the arch is inscribed 'Liberati Amici Liaeq (ue) Sac (rum)' - Sacred to Liberty and Friendship - (the motto of the Hellfire Club). The temple was recorded during the survey of West Wycombe Park by English Heritage in 2000-2001 (B12-14).