 Unusually, the huge Great Gatehouse faced south-east, away from the main road, hiding its extraordinary architectural features.This may have been because Thomas intended to establish a new settlement in front of it, but the gatehouse was also probably intended to be viewed from the harbour, where the most senior visitors were expected to arrive.The Lilburn Tower was positioned so as to be clearly – and provocatively – visible to Edward II's castle at Bamburgh, 9 miles (15 km) away along the coast, and would have been elegantly framed by the entranceway to the Great Gatehouse for any visitors.