Building record 805/8/1 - Garden Farmhouse

Formerly the New Inn, a former mid to late medieval inn built 1461-1476 for Edward IV. The building was reconstructed and extended during the 18th century, mid and late 19th century. Now in use as a house and commercial premises with outbuildings.

{1} Inn now house, commercial premises and outbuildings. Mid/late C15 for Edward IV, reconstructed and extended C18, mid and late C19. Squared coursed limestone with Colleyweston slate roof. Probably courtyard plan now a main range with central carriage arch and wings projecting to front and rear left and rear right. 2 storeys. Main front is a 5-window range with central carriage arch. Range to left of carriage arch, was the Hall, has two 2-light square-head windows with, cinquefoiled lights and hood moulds, probably restored C19. Similar 2-light window, above carriage arch, has armorial label stops. C19 single-light windows, with cinquefoiled lights, to right of carriage arch and similar 2-light window to first floor far right. C19 four-light window, with cinquefoiled lights and transom, to ground floor far right. Central carriage arch has moulded stone surround with 4-centred arch head, traceried spandrels and carved label stops. Cusped frieze, with shields, above. 2-stage ashlar buttresses flanking archway. Ashlar corner buttress with pyramid coping, to far right. Ashlar gable parapet, to right, has carved kneeler and C19 brick and stone stack at apex. C15 range projecting to left was reconstructed as farm building C19. 4-centred arch doorway in gable, now blocked, has 2 blocked openings, with square heads, to left. Return wall has similar blocked doorway and blocked square-head opening. Elevation to right of main front is mainly C19 with C15 gable end to left. Projecting flue to centre of gable has 2 single-light windows to left, with cinquefoiled lights, now blocked. C19 porch to left of centre and 2 C19 projecting wings to centre and right. C19 central canted bay windows. Other windows are all C19 with stone surrounds. Elevation to left of main front has C19 cart entrance, flanked by pitch holes and slit vents. Rear elevation: central carriage arch has wood lintel with close studded timber-framed first floor above. Central C19 casement window. C19 doorway with 4-centred arch head to right of carriage arch. Projecting wing to right is mainly C19 with cart entrance under wood lintel. Range to left is mainly C19 with projecting gable and casement windows with stone surrounds. Interior: entrance hall to right of main front has C19 staircase. Room to left of entrance has large fireplace with 4-centred ogee and hollow-moulded head. Intersecting ceiling beam and collar. The roof structure of the hall range, to the left of the main front, is noted as a central collar truss with roll and hollow mouldings, two cranked struts, one tier of butt-purlins and wind braces. A further truss has cambered tie beam, struts to the collar and windbraces. Formerly the New Inn which served Fotheringhay Castle. Part of Lord Overstone's estate in C19 when it was recorded as a farmhouse. (RCHM: An Inventory of Architectural Monuments in North Northamptonshire: p72)

{4} Although lying outside the outer defences of the 15th century castle, there were two properties at the castle gate which were an integral part of the functioning of the castle. These were the Inns, both probably constructed in the 15th century to provide lodgings for guests to the castle.
New Inn was built between 1461-1476. It is the only building described as the 'Inn' under the rental of 1548, where it is described as including 'all the houses barns and edifices and yard'. It is described in detail in 1624.

{7} Two undated photos.

{11} Of the New Inn, which is now a private residence only a part of the original remains facing the road. The interior has been entirely modernised.

{12} The New Inn in Fortheringhay has a good 15th century gateway with a four-centred arch. A projecting wing contains blocked windows and doorway. There are two courtyards behind.

{13} Archaeological observation for groundworks of a swimming pool revealed a probable terrace garden. The observation also revealed for pottery dating from the Late Saxon period to the early 20th century.

{14} Pamphlet of lithographic views of Oundle and Fottheringhay, which includes a view of the inn;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/64 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G10 p.36 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.71-2, Fig. 90 & Pl. 79) (Series). SNN77384.

<4> FOARD G., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Fotheringhay (Medieval and Post Medieval), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100481.

<5> Foard, G. and Britnell, T., 2003, Fotheringhay: A New Perspective from the 1640's, pp.140-3 (checked) (Article). SNN103924.

<6> 1696, Fotheringhay 1696, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100483.

<7> Photographs of buildings in Fotheringhay (Photographs). SNN112503.

<8> Historic England, Undated, GARDEN FARM, FOTHERINGHAY, BF084355 (Archive). SNN113299.

<9> Historic England, Undated, The central carriage arch on the west facade of the Garden Farmhouse, formerly the New Inn, OP11325 (Archive). SNN113300.

<10> Historic England, Undated, The central carriage arch on the west facade of the Garden Farmhouse, formerly the New Inn, OP11326 (Archive). SNN113301.

<11> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 569-70 (Series). SNN100369.

<12> PEVSNER N., 1961, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 212 (Series). SNN113374.

<13> Mark Peachey, 2023, Archaeological Monitoring and Recording: Land at Garden Farmhouse, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN116495.

<14> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/205/4 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Oct 2 2024 12:09PM