Building record 4039/1/1 - Knights Lodge Public House, Beanfield (The Launde Lodge or Beanfield Lawn House)

17th century moated site with medieval origins. Originally a moated lodge or farmhouse belonging to one of the Forest Officers of Rockingham. The site and its surrounding land known as The Lawn were apparently considered to be a detached part of the parish of Benefield in the Medieval period. The house is now known as The Knights Lodge and is in use as a public house.

{1} Shown as Beenfield Town on Ordnance Survey map. Hunting lodge, then farmhouse, now public house. Mid C17th remodelled mid C18th. Squared coursed and regular coursed limestone with Collyweston slate roof. Originally 3-unit plan. 2 storeys. 4-window range of C19 casements with ashlar dressings and gauged stone heads. C19 gabled porch to left of centre has arch head opening and C20 door. Ashlar gable parapets and ashlar stacks, with moulded cornices, at ridge and ends. Evidence of 2 builds at centre of main front. Right gable has blocked window opening and C20 lean-to porch. Rear elevation has central gabled staircase projection with 3-light stone mullion window at first floor and 2-light stone mullion attic window. Partially legible C17 datestone in apex. Rear left remodelled C20. Interior: room to left has open fireplace with bressumer, room to right has C17 style fireplace with 4-centred head. Some stop-ch amfered ceiling beams. Late C17/early C18 staircase with heavy barley twist balustrade around an open well. Originally known as Beanfield Lawn.

{3} Undated photo and three photos dated 1965. Also photos of a barn and cottage formerly located to the north and demolished in 1965.

{4} The site was apparently a moated lodge belonging to one of the Forest Officers of Rockingham.

{6} OS published name confirmed. The major part of the farmhouse is an 18th/19th century building of stone and brick. A gabled wing projecting on the east side has stone mullioned windows and a datestone inscribed 'CH 1610'. The interior of the house contains old timbers and panelling and a four-centred archway. An outbuilding at SP 8628 8805 contains a re-used, blocked four-centred archway or fire-place.

{7} G.P. AO/60/116/2 East wing from north east.

{8} "Beanfield Lawns", now known as "The Knight's Lodge" and in use as a public house is in good condition.

{14} Three photos dated 29th August 1965, noted as Beanfield Lawn Farm, now demolished;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 7/19 (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1992, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), K06 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN46686.

<3> Various, Various, Photographs of buildings in Corby (Photographs). SNN111596.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.25 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<5> Treswell, 1580, Map of Beanfield, Corby, (unchecked) (Map). SNN31020.

<5> Woodhouse, W C, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WCW 07-JUL-1960 (Note). SNN113151.

<6> Woodhouse, W C, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WCW 09-JUN-1960 (Note). SNN113151.

<7> Colquhoun, FD, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F2 FDC 05-JUL-1960 (Notes). SNN112761.

<8> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F3 JB 24-JUL-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

<9> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1899-1950 (Map). SNN112944.

<10> ORAL REPORT, Oral: Mr CH Champion, farmer, Beanfield Lawn (Oral Report). SNN53287.

<11> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 395 (Book). SNN77326.

<12> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire- The Borough of Northampton, p. 212 (Series). SNN100370.

<13> Pettit P.A.J., 1968, The Royal Forests of Northamptonshire: A Study in Their Economy 1558-1714, p. 150-1 (Series). SNN42130.

<14> Miss June Swann, 1960s- 70s, Miss June Swann Photographic Archive (Photographs). SNN116665.

Record last edited

Apr 30 2025 11:48AM