In medieval times Gatehouses were heavily fortified entrances to cities or towns, or buildings such as castles and manor houses. Some still exist, such as Bargate in Southampton and at Durham Castle. At the end of the Middle Ages, they tended to lose their defensive purpose and were converted into beautiful, grand entrance structures to manor houses or estates. In the 19th century gatehouses became separate free-standing buildings and more of a monumental structure designed to harmonise with the manor or mansion. Well-known Gatehouses in the Wycombe area include that in London Rd at Loudwater, which was an entrance to the estate of Sir Philip Rose, and in Hughenden Valley Rd at the entrance to the National Trust property Hughenden Manor. Less well-known is a Gatehouse which was at another entrance to the Hughenden estate in Hughenden Rd, some half a mile south of the main entrance.