Building record 6747/1/1 - Evenley Hall

Country House, subsequently children's home, now returned to domestic use. Built around 1740 for Francis Bassett; remodelled after a fire in 1897.

{1} Country House, now children's home. C.1740 for Francis Bassett; remodelled after a fire in 1897. Limestone ashlar, partly rendered, artificial stone slate roof. 2 storeys with attic and basement, 5 bays. The 3 centre bays project under a pediment with Ionic half columns on the first floor. Central stone porch, late C19, with segmental pediment and Ionic half columns framing the entrance. Double doors with decorative panelling and overlight. Ground floor windows have moulded stone frames and those on first floor alternating triangular and segmental pediments. All have C19 plate glass sashes. Round window in pediment. Hipped roof. Lower flanking wings set back from main block, C18 and C19, two storeys, 4 bays, with sash windows and flat keystoned heads. At the rear are 2 three-quarter circular towers of 2 storeys and attic flanking a central venetial window. C19 extensions on the ground floor. Interior: Remodelled 1897 in Jacobean style.

{3} Though Evenley retains the apprearance of an 18th century building on the outside, it is essentially a late 19th/early 20th century building on the inside- fixtures and fittings and layout of rooms. Nothing of the original kitchens survive and staff areas were relocated. The only internal space that is unaltered is the central vaulted cellar area. It is possible that the two wings escaped the fire, although they are much altered, and that the west stair turret stone stairs are original. From its sale in 1947 until 1984 the hall was a residential home for children, was owned by the National Children's Home until 2001, when it was bought by private buyers with the intention of returning it to domestic use.

{4} Detailed history and development of Evenley Hall; set of 'as existing' and 'planned' drawings;

{5} Undated photo;

{7} The Hall, now a children's home, is almost completely 19c/20c. Not outstanding and not worthy of historical publication. See photograph.

{9} Letter from MJ Barlow of NCH 24.10.95 "Frederick Kidd, who purchased the Hall and the park in 1938, moved into the Hall with his family in 1939 but only lived ther for 6 months as the army moved in…. I have learnt from Mr Ernie Cone of Hinton in the Hedges, that this regiment, the East Riding Yorkshire B Squadron, Armoured Wing, were at the Hall from 1940 until 43….. When flying bombs hit London, I have been told that evacuees were billeted at the Hall, about 30 families. This was told by the then coalman who had the task of carrying each family's coal allowance to each room." The hall and park was given to the National Childrens Home in 1941.

{10} Army use requires clarification. Not determined if any contemporary remains survive. Information submitted to SMR 31.10.95.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/67 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F01 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> MacFarland, G and Prentice, J, 2003, Building recording prior to commencement of alterations at Evenley Hall, Brackley, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN111165.

<4> Rodney Melville & Partners, 2002, A Three Volume Appraisal of Evenley Hall, its Park and Garden (Report). SNN111172.

<5> Photographs of buildings in Evenley (Photographs). SNN111813.

<6> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1955 (Map). SNN112944.

<7> Colquhoun, FD, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 10/feb/1970 (Notes). SNN111540.

<8> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, MHLG list Brackley RD 1955 (Report). SNN112993.

<9> HARVEY G., 1995, Evenley Hall, (checked) (Correspondence). SNN2851.

<10> Cadman G., 2014, 20th Century Military Archaeology in Northamptonshire: Logs 1, 2 & 3, p.9 (unchecked) (Report). SNN104868.

Record last edited

Apr 5 2024 10:52AM