Building record 3980/5/2 - The Manor House, Squire's Hill

Late 18th century manor house with late 19th century additions. Converted to use as local government offices in 1936 and now disused.

{1} Manor House, converted to UDC offices 1936, now disused. Mid C18 with late C19 rear additions in a simpler matching style. Coursed and squared ironstone and brick, with stone slate roofs. Plinth, moulded stone eaves, coped gables. 4 coped stone gable and 2 similar ridge and 2 valley stacks. 2 storeys plus attics, 5 bays, double range plan. South front has central ashlar doorcase with Doric pilasters, cornice and keystoned head to fanlight over 6-panel C19 door. On either side, 2 glazing bar sashes with Gibbs surrounds. Above the door an inserted Venetian window with Ionic pilasters and Gothic glazing in the central sash. On either side, 2 6/6 sashes with plain surrounds and multiple keystones. Above again, 5 hipped dormers with 2-light casements. Rear elevation has 2 short wings and addition to north west, all with C19 sashes, casements and doors. Interior has a flagged entrance hall with full height fielded panelling and overmantel with eared C19 marble fireplace. C19 dogleg principal stair with reeded vase and stem balusters and multiple newels, ramped handrail and panelled stairwell. C18 serpentine landing balustrade. Early C19 rear winder stair with stick balusters. Single purlin principal rafter roof with many renewed common refters. Ground floor east end has a full height fielded panelled room with overmantel and C19 Classical fieplace. First floor Council Chamber has 2 Classical piers and window seat in Venetian window. C19 carved wood fireplace with painted tiles. Other rooms have plain or Classical C19 stone fireplaces and fielded panelled doors.

{2} Mid 18th with late 19th century additions. 2 storeys plus attics.

{5} The identification of the site of the Rectory manor is problematical. However, as argued below, the main manor of Rothwell possibly lay to the south of the churchyard. The Rectory manor having been re-united with the main manor in the 17th century, the site of the rectory manor should be expected to lie within the Hall's estate in 1819. It may be that the Hill family, who already held the main manor, built a new house on the rectory site to replace their existing manor house. This is the building currently known as the Manor House, to the north west of the church, described by Pevsner as an 'uncommonly fine' mid-18th century building was the residence of the Hill family. The grounds of the house extend south across the road to the church with gate piers and walls unifying the two sides into a single design.

Historic England, THE MANOR HOUSE, ROTHWELL, BF077148 (Archive). SNN115476.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 9/81 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H13 p.52 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN100754.

<3> , 1900, Ordnance Survey 25 Inch Map Series, (checked) (Map). SNN55973.

<4> , 1926, Ordnance Survey 25 Inch Map Series, (checked) (Map). SNN56009.

<5> Foard G, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rothwell (Medieval and Post Medieval), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100514.

<6> 1819, Rothwell Inclosure Map 1819, (checked) (Map). SNN100516.

Record last edited

Sep 22 2023 4:06PM