Building record 1009/1/2 - The Stables, Althorp Estate

The stables at Althorp were built circa 1732-33 by Roger Morris, soon after the remodelling of the entrance hall in the main house, under the instructions of the Fifth Earl of Sunderland. They are constructed in a courtyard plan from lias ashlar with slate roofs. The east front has a central Tuscan portico with carriage arch and two pairs of columns whilst the flanking corner towers have pyramid roofs and are two storeys high with attics. There are lunettes at attic level with a string course below. The ranges between the towers are also two storey. To the pediment of the east portico there is a clock in the pediment of the east portico. There is a similar central portico on the north front, but without the carriage arch. The south and west elevations have similar ranges and the west also has a central carriage arch. The stables are now the setting for the exhibition celebrating the life of Diana, Princess of Wales and honouring her memory after her death.

{1} Stables. c.1730, by Roger Morris. Lias ashlar with slate roof. Courtyard plan. East front: Central Tuscan portico with carriage arch and 2 pairs of columns. Flanking corner towers of two storeys with attic, have pyramid roofs, sashes at ground and first floor with glazing bars and flat arch heads. Lunettes at attic level with string course below. 2-storey ranges between towers have sashes with glazing bars and flat arches. Clock in pediment of east portico. Similar central portico on north front without carriage arch. Similar ranges on south and west elevations: The west has a central carriage arch. Interior: Plain vaulted ceiling in south range, interior mainly converted to C20 commercial use

{3} Connection of house to stables.

{4} Visited Althorp in August 1742; "… present Duke of Marlborough in few years he was Master of this Estate built stables and offices all of stone… on left hand as you approach house and form a quadrangular court within… front to two of the sides has in middle a portico like that to church in Covent Garden in London… ".

{7} Francis Hiorne undertook repairs to the stables, 1788 (drawing and estimate held in British Library
{8}); originally built by Roger Morris c1732-3;

{9} Undated photo;

Historic England, Undated, ALTHORP PARK, ALTHORP, BF061839 (Archive). SNN113527.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 7+11/24 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G01 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> Jacques D., Georgian Gardens, (unchecked) (Book). SNN42524.

<4> Markham S., 1984, John Loveday of Cavendish, p.343-5 (unchecked) (Book). SNN42564.

<5> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.81 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<6> Stamper P., 1998, The Historic Landscape Of Althorp Park - An Outline Of The Designed Landscape, With A Rapid Assessment, p.4 (checked) (Report). SNN100246.

<7> Colvin H., 1995, A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects (1660-1840), p. 495, 668 (Book). SNN54451.

<8> Althorp Papers, p. 9 (Archive). SNN111216.

<9> Photographs of buildings in Althorp (Photographs). SNN111846.

Record last edited

May 27 2022 1:44PM