Building record 6734/1/1 - The Racecourse Pavilion

One of the more important structures of the racecourse, the pavilion, has survived on the same site, though in a number of changing forms, for almost two centuries. It is suggested that this structure, one of the last remaining visible relics of the racecourse, be incorporated into any future plans.

{1} Early C19, altered circa 1930, 2 storey stucco building with low pitched roofs behind cast iron railings. Taller wing on left has 4 light window to 1st floor with colonnette mullions, sashes, glazing bars. Main block has 3 similar windows to 1st floor, 3, 5 and 3 light with verandah. Ground floor casement windows with glazing bars. External cast iron stairs up to verandah. Ground floor loggia with cast iron colonnettes. South entrance has arcade of 6 round arches to ground floor, 1st floor sash windows with glazing bars.

{2} Early C19th and altered circa 1930; 2 storey stucco building with low pitched roofs behind cast iron railings; verandah on first floor with external cast iron stairs; ground floor loggia with cast iron colonettes; south entrance has arcade of six round arches to ground floor.

{3} Reference to a First Aid Post at the Racecourse Pavilion.

{5} Photo of the grandstand about 1929 before it was refurbished and converted to a pavilion and re-opened in 1934.

{6} The track occupied the extents of Freemans Common, and two buildings of the pavilion/grandstand are situated in the south-east. The pavilion is clearly shown with a smaller detached building immediately to its west.

{7} The course is ornamented with a handsome grandstand….

{8} Racing was of such popularity that shares were issued for a grandstand in the 1820s. However, a structure is visible in the position of the pavilion on the 1813-16 Ordnance Surveyors' provisional map, suggesting a construction date earlier in the C19th. Records indicate repair by the Northampton Race Stand Company in 1855.
Enough events were taking place on the park by 1930 that the Corporation had the pavilion restored with the old stand joined on and converted into a Sports Pavilion by Law and Harris Architects (Plate 6).

{9} The circuit of the course is itself depicted, as is the site of a stand or pavilion picked out in red to the south-east of the course.

{10} Two photos dated 1990;

{11} It is a large stuccoed building and somewhat difficult to envisage as a grandstand now that the raked seating has been removed from the roof.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 14/563 (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 p.112 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<3> 1978, Northamptonshire At War 1939-45, A Selection Of Photographs, p.29 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100251.

<4> Cadman G., 2014, 20th Century Military Archaeology in Northamptonshire: Logs 1, 2 & 3, (checked) (Report). SNN104868.

<5> 2005, Did You Go For A Pint With A Lion?, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107681.

<6> Wood; Law, 1847, Town Map of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN752.

<7> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.161+Plate 2 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1002.

<8> Butler A., 2007, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for The Racecourse Park, Northampton August 2007, p.4-5 (checked) (Report). SNN108091.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1811-9, First Edition Ordnance Survey Surveyors Drawings, Sheet 253 (Map). SNN104902.

<10> Photographs of buildings in Northampton (Photographs). SNN114989.

<11> Perkins, P, Whittaker, R and Denton, A, 2022, A Guide to the Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire, p. 64/ Site 281 (Book). SNN113793.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2025 12:42PM