Listed Building: Great Oakley Hall and attached gazebo (1372545)

Country house. C.1555 with C17 and C18 additions, datestone 1893 refers to rebuilding of south wing. Limestone ashlar, part rendered, with slate roof laid to diminishing courses. Irregular U-shape plan. 2 storeys with attic. Main front: centre of 5-window range with flanking gabled wings breaking forward. Central single-storey porch is probably early C17 with arch-head opening with keyblocks. Flanking pairs of reeded pilasters supporting frieze and cornice with balustrade above, consisting of 4 roundels. C19 part-glazed door. 4-light stone mullion windows with arch-head lights with exception of 2 attic windows to left which are 3-light. Small gables above each attic window have semi-circular merlons between. Projecting gable to left has 2-window range in gable end of 2-light stone mullion windows with arch-head lights and one similar window to attic. C19 right-hand wing in similar style of one-window range in gable end. Return walls of wings in 2-window range of similar 3-light windows. Centre range breaks forward, slightly, to left of porch and wall to right of break is rendered. All windows have drip moulds. Ashlar gable parapets and finials and ashlar stacks at ridge. Garden front to right of main front is C19 five-window range of 2-, 4- and 8-light stone mullion windows with transoms and arch head lights. Gables and eaves parapet and double string course between floors. Lateral stack set in gable has arms of Bishop Trollope. Datestone in right gable. Rear elevation to right is similar. Small C18 extension to right with sash windows under gauged stone lintels also appears to rear left of main front with wood mullion window, under gauged stone head, and a 6-panel door. C18 gazebo, now garden room and apple store is linked to left of main front by outbuildings and wall. Rusticated ashlar. 2 storeys. One-window range with sash window with glazing bars at first floor and ground floor door opening with bolection moulded surround, panelled frieze and cornice over. Elevation to right is similar of 2 window range. Slate roof with plain parapet. C19 building attached to rear was originally a laundry. Interior: hall has ornamental date 1575. Staircase remodelled C19 retains some earlier balusters and 2 ceilings with C18 Rococo plasterwork. Carved door surrounds and panelling are mainly late C19 probably reusing some earlier work. The house was built on the site of an earlier house for the de Capell Brooke family who have retained ownership. The work of 1893 and interior remodelling of that date was carried out by Bishop Trollope. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.236).

Record last edited

Apr 25 2022 4:09PM