Building record 3777/3/1 - Barton Seagrave Hall

Country house rebuilt in 1725 for the Bridges Family but with older, possibly 16th century, origins still visible at the east end wing. Has 19th century additions including an early 19th century conservatory. Summary from record 3777/3: Country house rebuilt in 1725 for the Bridges Family but with older, possibly 16th century, origins still visible at the east end wing. Has 19th century additions including an early 19th century conservatory.

{1}Separate drawings all showing details of gardens:1. (p.17) South front set above sunken garden with gazebo on left. Oldest part of house shown to left of porch and is partly Elizabethan while the right hand wing appears to be mid C17th - perhaps a rebuilding by Bridge's father shortly after 1665. Evidence of Bridge's extensive planting can be seen in the garden beyond the wall on the left and is further amplified by the view in another drawing.2. (p.18) South west view of Bridge's house. Pretty gazebo looks into a walled topiary garden where a variety of trees are growing. Behind the wall are 4 tall pine trees and even though the detail of the garden is not clear Morton's description is borne out.3. (p.19) A more distant view of the house taken from the east along a wide double avenue of trees which have been trimmed of their lower branches and some central branches to improve their shape. In the foreground is the Ise Brook, its bank lined with pollarded willows. Tilleman's himself is shown in the centre of the drawing. 2 other figures distant strolling in the avenue.

{3}"….John Bridges has his own grounds in and around Barton Seagrave planted with at least 40000 trees of several different kinds…."; Morton's book also makes other references to John Bridge's planting

{4} Bridge's white marble monument in Barton Seagrave church bears an inscription which states that he was a scientific agriculturalist & a lover of useful & ornamental planting; gardenscape of early C18th is also documented by Tilleman's drawings of 1719;1. View of south front set above sunken garden with small gazebo structure suggested on left side; oldest part of house is shown to left of porch & is partly Elizabethan; right hand wing appears to be mid C17th; perhaps a rebuilding by Bridge's father shortly after 1665; evidence of Bridge's extensive planting can be seen in garden beyond wall on left & is further amplified by view in another drawing;2. South-west view of John Bridge's house; gazebo looks into a walled topiary garden where there is a variety of trees growing; behind wall stand 4 tall pine trees & even though detail of garden is not clear Morton's descriptions of intensive planting are borne out;3. More distant view of house taken from west along a wide double avenue of trees which have been trimmed of their lower branches & some central branches to improve their shape; in foreground is Ise Brook & its bank lined with pollarded willows; Tilleman's himself is shown in centre of drawing & two other figures in distance are strolling within avenue

{5}Writing at same time as Tillemans was working but appears to have resisted any description of his family home

{7}Barton Seagrave Hall is described as a commodious family mansion; residence of Charles Tibbits Esq

{8}Terrier & plan of estate of Lord Viscount Hood; appears to be preparation work for following survey NRO Map M™ 398 also bound in book

{9}Survey & Plans of Estate of Lord Hood; bound in book; Hobson James listed as ?renting following land parcels [numbers may equate with those on 1860s map]:28. Paddock; 29. Paddock; 30. Paddock; 31a. Stackyard & Road etc; 34. Far North Field; 36. Great Stone Pit Close; 38. Little Hill In Hand: 1. Plantation; 2. Farther Close; 7. Middle Close; 8. Meadow; 9. Meadow; 10. Close by Plantation; 10a. Plantation 11. Paddock; 12. Paddock; 13. Paddock; 14. Paddock; 17. Plantation, ponds etc.; 19. Red Hill Lawn & Meadow; 20. Mansion House & outbuildings & lawn & pleasure gardens etc.; 21. Wood Yard; 22. Kitchen Garden; 27. Plantation; 31. Paddock; 32. Paddock; 33. Paddock; 35. Plantation; 37. Plantation; 40. Plantation; 45. Nursery; 53. Plantation; 88. Plantation; 97. Plantation 98. Plantation; 131. Plantation; 140. Plantation; 161. Plantation 165. Little Ram Close

{10}Plan of Parish of Barton Seagrave; Tithe Map apportionment; appears again to use same numbering system for land parcels; short east-west running avenue extends from north face of house & past orangery; stops before it enters "Red Hill" field where there is slight curvature of field boundary

{11}Undated; Plan of Estates in Parishes of Barton Seagrave & Kettering ….. Belonging to J.Borlase Tibbits Esq.; possibly c.1850s as appears to be original map from which NRO Map 676 of 1863 was taken; no additional features shown

{12}Plan of Estates in Parishes of Barton Seagrave & Kettering….belonging to J.Borlase Tibbits Esq. [Crossed out & replaced with….Mary Viscountess Hood]; Post Inclosure; land belonging to Hall at this time coloured pale green; includes:1. Plantation; 2. Farther Close; 6a. Great North Field West; 7. Middle Close & Beast Hovel; 8. Meadows; 10. Close by Plantation; 10a. Plantation; 11. Paddock; 12. Paddock; 13. Paddock; 14. Paddock; 15a. Little South Field East; 17. Plantation, ponds etc.; 19. Red Hill Lawn & Meadow; 20. Mansion House & outbuildings & lawn & pleasure ground; 21. Wood Yard; 22. Kitchen Garden; 27. Plantation; 28. Paddock; 29. Paddock; 30. Paddock; 31a. Stackyard & Road etc; 31. Paddock; 32. Paddock; 33. Paddock; 34. Far South Field West; 35. Plantation; 37. Plantation; 40. Plantation; 43. Buildings & Home Close; 45. Nursery; 53. Plantation; 54. Castle Closes; 88. Plantation; 97. Plantation 98. Plantation; 131. Plantation; 140. Plantation; 161. Plantation 165. Little Ram Close Plantation

{13}Centred on Cranford Hall; slight overlap into Barton Seagrave only; limited use only

{14}Plan of Railway track in parish; L&H Ry Plan; touches south side of parish boundary so no implications for Barton Seagrave Hall

{15} C18th house built for Bridges family, in parkland setting. Currently in use as offices. Repairs recently undertaken to roof but there are structural problems to the front elevation.

{16}1912 Sale Catalogue from Barton Seagrave Hall; listings include garden equipment & wicker chairs etc. but no other details; paintings & books etc do not appear to detail anything relating to illustrations etc of Barton Seagrave Hall

{17}On left hand side of road from Kettering are 3 panelled limestone piers each surmounted by diminutive stone ball; pass through these on carriage drive leading directly into very large stable yard; drives curves to left under archway of yew & up to front of hall; on west side of house are formal gardens which are beautifully laid out with yew & thya & cedar trees; also flower borders stretching down to sink fence; latter adjoins large field which slopes down to River Ise; on right hand side of gardens is picturesque orangery with domes & evidently of same date as house; beyond this again is lawn which is shadowed by forest trees & dips down to a sunken garden which was formerly a pond; on other side of this is a plantation in which is very fine tulip tree said to be tallest specimen in county; illustrations

{18}Detail not good; names Barton Seagrave Hall & Wilderness & Dog Kennel Spinney & Warkton Spinney; all are also shown in more detail on 3rd Edition 25" OS Map; Listings: 96. The Lawns - now one field down to Ise River; 97.-104. All known as "Paddocks";(The Rectory) Still shows avenue running southwards from Rectory & Shrubbery; 65. Church Close - known locally as "Avenue Field" to east of rectory; [also contains ewk named "Old Quarry" which is marked as fishpond on the SMR!] Wicksteed 86. Clay Pit Field - recent name as clay from this field was used to make dam of Wicksteed Lake; 88. Now Wicksteed Lake! 93. ditto; 67. The Park

{19}Manor in possession of Humphrey family one of whom doubtless built original hall; from Humphreys estate passed to John Bridge's father; towards end of C18th in possession of Richard Tibbitts whose grand-daughter married 3rd Viscount Hood in 1837; Lady Hood lived at Barton Seagrave for many years; she died in 1904 & large part of estate bought by Charles Wicksteed of Kettering who laid out within its boundaries beautiful & popular Wicksteed Park; estate passed to Wicksteed Trust & building & its charming gardens now used as guest house; fig.35 Entrance Front

{20}Nothing on Barton Seagrave Hall

{24}+C17th +C18th "manorial" + "all surveys"

{25}Rental & particulars of part of Barton Seagrave

{26}Miscellaneous - various fields purchased between 1624-38

{28}Tithe map - altered apportionment

{29}Tithe map - altered apportionment

{30}Markham describes illustration as accurate representation

{31}Engraving produced for Bridges' history; Markham says shows house substantially as at present but without boundary fences; view to Kettering spire is conspicuous in what is called a very picturesque engraving

{35}Map of Manor of Barton Seagrave …. Held by ….Duke of Montague….; dated either 1787 or 1797; shows formal landscaping around house;The village of Barton Seagrave village is situated on a gentle hill facing south-westwards. The parish was inclosed sometime during the C17th. During the C17th the manor was in the ownership of the Humphrey family who probably built the original house (1638 & 1664 records of land purchases/NRO Clayton 10 & NRO Clayton 11). From the Humphreys the Barton Seagrave estate passed to John Bridge's father, also John. Towards end of C18th in possession of Richard Tibbitts whose grand-daughter married 3rd Viscount Hood in 1837. Estate maps of the mid C19th indicate a Mansion House, outbuildings, lawn and pleasure grounds. Lady Hood lived at Barton Seagrave for many years; she died in 1904 & large part of estate bought by Charles Wicksteed of Kettering who laid out within its boundaries beautiful & popular Wicksteed Park; estate passed to Wicksteed Trust & building & its charming gardens now used as guest house.

{38} SP 8873 7730: Barton Seagrave Hall (NAT

{39} Built for Bridges family. 18th century country house in grounds. Initials WB and date 1725 on rainwater heads. Stone, ashlar front, Collyweston slate roof behind wooden cornice moulding. 2 storeys, attics; end blocks and central pedimented block project. 2:3:1:3:2 sash windows with glazing bars, plain surrounds and small keystones. 4 stone chimney stacks. Central doorway has bolection moulded surround, Roman Doric fluted pilasters, segmental pediment. 2 fold 6 panel door, oblong fanlight with glazing bars. 2 pedimented sash dormers. Attic window and stone coped gable to each end block. Early 19th century conservatory on right. 5 window west side elevation on left has central doorway with pediment on consoles. Single storey and attic north east wing has 6 pedimented dormers, 5 ground floor and 2 dummy windows. 19th century north west wing in keeping. Interior retains good moulded doorcases, dados, skirting boards. Close string newel staircase with turned balusters, ball finials to panelled newels with pendants. 18th century. Ashlar dressed coursed squared rubble, Welsh slated roof. 2 storeys L plan, 1st floor band. Sash windows with glazing bars under stone lintels. Segmentally arched carriageway on left, similar coach doorway on right. Stone mounting block with 5 steps and dog kennel underneath.

{40} Country house rebuilt in 1725 but with older, possibly 16th century, origins still visible at the east end wing. Has 19th century additions including an early 19th century conservatory.

{41} Built for Bridges family. C18 country house in grounds. Initials WB and date 1725 on rainwater heads. Stone, ashlar front, Collyweston slate roof behind wooden cornice moulding. 2 storeys, attics; end blocks and central pediment block project. 2:3:1:3:2 sash windows with glazing bars, plain surrounds and small keystones. 4 stone chimney stacks. Central doorway haa bolection moulded surround, Roman Doric fluted pilasters, segmental pediment. 2 fold 6 panel door, oblong fanlight with glazing bars. 2 pedimented sash dormers. Attic window and stone coped gable to each end block. Early C19 conservatory on right. 5 window west side elevation on left has central doorway with pediment on consoles. Single storey and attic north east wing has 6 pedimented dormers, 5 ground floor and 2 dummy windows. C19 north west wing in keeping. Interior retains good moulded doorcases, dados, skirting boards. Close string newel staircase with turned balusters, ball finials to panelled newels with pendants. VCH III p 176. Barton Seagrave Hall, Orangery and Outbuilding form a group.

{44} 1903?ish Letters of Tibbits of Barton Seagrave; letters from Mr Woods & orders for redecorating of hall; Jan 12th 1902 letter from ?Sowerby of Sudborough asking about leaving unlocked a handgate on a bridge over a brook running into Kettering from Barton Seagrave;

{45}Barton Seagrave Hall C18th; now an hotel; reference to M.H.L.G. 1948 ref 1272/11/A p.4;

{46}Hall has rainwater heads dated 1725 but fabric of house is older; E-plan with 2 gables; only 1 porch has pediment of 1725; porch doorway with segmental pediment on fluted Doric pilasters; lower wing to east; 1 storey with pedimented dormers; west front is entirely Georgian;

{47} An assessment of three dormer windows in the west wing at Barton Seagrave hall. The dormers all appear to be replacements and are not contemporary with the original 18th century wing. The report concludes that they have no historic value in the themselves as are secondary features and are now beyond repair.

<1> Tillemans P., 1719, Barton Seagrave Hall, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN48088.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), DOE (HHR) District of Kettering, Northamptonshire. April 1976 p.1, H15 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN100754.

<3> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p.486 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10113.

<4> Bailey B.A., 1996, Northamptonshire in the Early Eighteenth Century: The Drawings of Peter Tillemans & Others, p.17-9 (part checked) (Series). SNN41766.

<5> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<6> Repton H., 1794, The Red Book (Barton Seagrave), (unchecked) (Book). SNN42465.

<7> Evans J.; Britton J., 1810, The Beauties of England and Wales (Northamptonshire), p.191-2 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1351.

<8> 1842, Barton Seagrave Map (NRO Map FS 16/25), NRO MAP FS 16/25 (part checked) (Map). SNN39617.

<9> 1842, Barton Seagrave Tithe Map (NRO Map M(TM) 398), (unchecked) (Map). SNN39618.

<10> 1842, Barton Seagrave Tithe Map (NRO Map T185), (unchecked) (Map). SNN102431.

<11> 1850, MAP, NRO MAP FS 16/14 (part checked) (Map). SNN39608.

<12> 1863, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN39619.

<12> Ordnance Survey, 1880, First Edition OS 6 Inch Mapping Series (MULTIPLES!), 25SE (part checked) (Map). SNN41967.

<13> 1875, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN39620.

<14> 1900, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN39612.

<15> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2008, Heritage at Risk Register, 2008, p.38 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN106096.

<16> 1912, NRO FS 16/13, NRO FS 16/13 (part checked) (Catalogue). SNN39625.

<17> MARKHAM C.A., 1923, Barton Seagrave Hall, 146-9 (part checked) (Series). SNN39614.

<18> 1932, Barton Seagrave Parish Field Names Map (NRO), (unchecked) (Map). SNN43722.

<19> Gotch J.A., 1939, Squires' Homes and Other Old Buildings of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN39616.

<20> Steane J., 1974, The Northamptonshire Landscape, (unchecked) (Book). SNN5137.

<21> Stroud D., 1962, Humphry Repton, (unchecked) (Book). SNN19111.

<23> 1911, Sale Catalogue, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN55855.

<24> 1617, NRO X1353, (unchecked) (Document). SNN39622.

<25> 1638, NRO CLAYTON 10, (unchecked) (Document). SNN39621.

<26> 1664, NRO CLAYTON 11, (unchecked) (Document). SNN39623.

<27> 1860, MAP, NRO MAP FS 66/4 (unchecked) (Map). SNN54733.

<28> 1914, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN48237.

<29> 1922, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN48112.

<30> CLARKE G., 1850, Untitled Source, (unchecked) (Painting). SNN48327.

<31> BASIRE J., 1791, Untitled Source, (unchecked) (Engraving). SNN48328.

<33> Bryant A., 1827, Map of The County of Northampton, (part checked) (Map). SNN2733.

<34> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (part checked) (Map). SNN1852.

<35> 1790, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN48220.

<36> Mowl T.; Hickman C., 2008, The Historic Gardens of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106082.

<37> Tillemans P., 1719, Barton Seagrave Hall & Park, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN39624.

<38> Annotated Record Map, OS 1:10000 1975 (Map). SNN112961.

<39> Department of the Environment (DoE), 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, April 1976 1 (Catalogue). SNN3381.

<40> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, Page 176 (Series). SNN100370.

<41> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 2/5 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<42> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN41757.

<43> The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 176 (Series). SNN10247.

<44> 1903, Correspondence, NRO MAP FS56(OR 36)/13 (part checked) (Correspondence). SNN48238.

<45> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP87NE(M) (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<46> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<47> Prentice, J., 2005, An assessment of three dormer windows at Barton Seagrave Hall, Northamptonshire, (checked) (Report). SNN106595.

<48> 1842, Barton Seagrave Tithe Map (NRO Map T185), (unchecked) (Map). SNN102431.

<49> 1926, Third Edition OS Mapping, Sheet 25/15 (part checked) (Map). SNN54490.

<50> Undated, BARTON SEAGRAVE HALL, KETTERING, BF061843 (Archive). SNN113590.

<51> Historic England, NMR Measured Drawings, NMR06 (Drawing). SNN113008.

Record last edited

Oct 24 2024 11:53AM