Building record 1010/0/3 - The Falconry or Hawking Tower

Cruciform two storey building in the grounds of Althorp. It was constructed in 1612-13 and has been converted into a house.

{1} Hunting Lodge. C.1611. Lias ashlar with slate roof. T-plan. 2 storeys with attic, 3 bays. Central cross wing forming gabled porch with arched entrance with open arcaded sides. Flanking casements with leaded lights and intersecting glazing bars with plain arched heads. First floor of blank arcade has fenestration 2: 3: 2 each with keystone and central casement window. Moulded string course between first and second floor. Gabled roof with ashlar parapets, kneelers and obelisks. Lateral stone st :> rge coat of arms in porch gable and similar to right gable. Side elevations are similar with ground and first floor arcades, some with casements. Similar C19 single- storey wing to rear. Interior: Hall has 2 arcaded openings with keystones. Room to left of hall has C19 fireplace with Delft tiles. Dogleg stair to right of entrance with moulded stone handrail. Originally built with open arcaded first floor for spectating falconry.

{3} A "standing" or falconry is dated to 1611.

{4} Undated photo;

{2, 5} The Falconry or Hawking Tower at Althorp House
"This Staninge was made by Robert Lord Spencer 1612-13". A 2-storey cruciform building of sandstone with pointed gables which have moulded verges and pinnacles on the kneelers and apex. There is a heavy cornice between the storeys, and Doric pilasters on all the corners. There is a cornice above the 2nd storey and a parapet with moulded coping. The roof is slate. A number of windows have been made in the semi-circular recesses of the ground floor. The first floor is arcaded, semi-circular headed recesses with keystones, the central one at the end of each arm being a window. The entrance, on the ground floor of the South arm is a simple semi-circular headed doorway with akey stone. On the South and East gables there is an elaborate carving of the Royal Coat-of-arms and on the West gable is the Spencer Arms with the inscription quoted above. Some years ago the building was converted for use as a dwelling and the North side has been extended "in style". (A derelict row of red brick cottages adjoins.) Interior - a wide stone stairway with fine moulded stone handrail.

{6} (SP 67996570) Falconry (NAT).

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 7/5 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), District of Brixworth, Northants. August. 1950, p. 1, G01 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.81-2 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Photographs of buildings in Althorp (Photographs). SNN111846.

<5> English Heritage, 1994, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (1994, Leicestershire), Part 30; Northamptonshire (Report). SNN42820.

<6> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 1:10000 1975 (Map). SNN112944.

Record last edited

May 27 2022 12:04PM