Listed Building: Abbey Lodge (1286510)

House. C15, altered late C16. Datestone 1581. Uncoursed limestone rubble, partly rendered. Slate roof, brick and stone stacks. Irregular U-plan with through passage and hall to right of entrance. Projecting wings to left and right at rear. 2 storeys and attic. 3 bay south front, east bay (to right) projects slightly under gable. Doorway in second bay from left has moulded stone 4 centred arch with square hood and C16-C17 plank door. 3 light C18- C19 window to left with wood lintel, wood mullions and iron casements, 2 similar windows to right. Window on first floor right of entrance is C17 with wood lintel and 3 light casements with moulded wooden mullions. Remaining first floor windows are C18-C19 casements. Datestone above doorway MC/1581 is Victorian but said to replace the original stone. Interior: Remodelled late C16 when a floor was inserted in open hall, a chimney built backing to the cross passage, and on the north side a newel stair to new upper chamber. Cross passage has rear doorway with plain stone 4 centred arch, similar doorway to hall. Late C16 hall fireplace has stone 4 centred arch, moulded entablature with lozenge decoration on frieze and jambs. Hall ceiling has stop chamfered joists and girders with a re-used C15 moulded wooden corbel. Small trefoil- headed window lighting staircase C15 probably not in situ. Roof structure C15. Central open truss of hall has arched braced collars, strutted to second collar above. Roof timbers of hall are soot encrusted indicating former open hearth. At rear are 2 C16-C17 wings running north forming a 3 sided courtyard. The west wing contains the present kitchen and stables with stone mullioned windows. The east wing is a barn and loft with brick pigeon holes, and floor with stop chamfered joists and girders. (Paul Woodfield, The Larger Medieval Houses of Northamptonshire; Northamptonshire Archaeology, 16, 1981, pp. 169-70, Plan and Elevation).

Record last edited

Aug 18 2023 11:29AM