Building record 816/3/3 - Stable Block at Boughton House

Stable block at Boughton Park. Erected circa 1700-1704 and restored between 1976-1981. Built of limestone with an ashlar front, red brick sides and rear with hipped Collyweston stone slate roofs.

{1} Stable block. Circa 1700-04, restored 1976-81. Limestone ashlar front, red brick sides and rear, hipped Collyweston stone slate roofs. Main block with cross-wings projecting only slightly to front. 2 storeys, raised band between. Eaves cornice. Central rusticated entrance with tall round-headed opening (Britannia firemark over) and pediment with heraldic carving by Gideon Duchesne. Top hamper with rusticated angle pilasters and 3 square panels. Leaded dome with ball finial and weathervane. 3 bays to either side of centrepiece, leaded cross casement windows, taller to ground than to first floor. Projecting ends of wings, 3 windows wide, have similar detail and rusticated angle pilasters. Some interior fittings remain, including a staircase with turned balusters in the south wing.

{3} The Boughton House Stable Block is an exceptional example of 18th century French inspired grand architecture and is justifiably Grade I listed in its own right. The work carried out by Boughton Estate Ltd allowed a rare opportunity to record those elements of the stables affected by the works.
Recording work was limited to the roof structure and graffiti on the east wall. As expected of a single phase roof, there is little of historical interest to be seen within the roof structure; the roof is simple trusses carrying butt purlins and bridled common rafters. Some of the rafters are modern replacements added in the 1980s. The graffiti, consisting of lists of names are more historically significant and provide an interesting insight into the casual, local labourers employed by the estate as and when such labour was required.
Plan of first floor detail of 1746, from the estate archives, Fig.3.
More details of the structural recording are given p.6-9.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/219 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), J12 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN100754.

<3> Richards G., 2014, Archaeological Standing Building Inspection and Recording: The Stable Block, Boughton House, Geddington, Northamptonshire, p.1 (checked) (Report). SNN109708.

<4> Horne, B (editor), 2015, South Midlands Archaeology (45), p. 35 (Journal). SNN111358.

<5> Historic England, BOUGHTON HOUSE, WEEKLEY, BF061849 (Archive). SNN115139.

Record last edited

May 31 2023 1:58PM