The small structure to the east of the Spaniards Inn was built as a toll booth, around 1710. The land to the north of this point was owned by the Bishop of London, who collected tolls from travellers as they entered onto his land.
The Inn and the gate house form a pinch point for traffic and there have been two moves to demolish the gate house: in 1922 and 1961. Fortunately it remains - its removal would just lead to more and faster traffic.
A has a good page on this building, its history and function, including this etching, from the British Museum.
has a photo, probably early 20th century.
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