Building record 1995/4/1 - Mears Ashby Hall

Large, sandstone house of 1637. Two-storey and attics, with steep tiled roofs and massive chimney stacks. Material from an earlier house possibly incorporated. In 1859, an earlier 18th century extension was re-constructed in the manner of original.

{1} Country House. Dated 1637 for Thomas Clenden, probably earlier origins, extended C18 and 1859 by A. Salvin for Stockdale family. Lias ashlar with Collyweston slate roof. Originally E-plan, Jacobean style. 2 storeys with attics. Main front of 7-window range. 5-window range to left is the original house. Central 3 storey porch has arched entrance flanked by pairs of fluted Roman Doric columns supporting an entablature and cornice. C19 panelled door. Blank arch above entrance has initials T.C. D. Attic window having a curved head is surmounted by an open circle with obelisk. Bays to left and right of porch have small gables with stepped head attic windows. Flanking bays break forward with large gables. 3- and 4-light stone-mullioned windows. Ashlar gable parapets and kneelers with finials at eaves and apex. Ashlar stacks at ridge. 2-window range to right was added by Salvin in similar style. 4- and 6-light stone mullioned and transomed windows. Short square tower with roof abuts the main house and has a gable breaking forward to the right. Rainwater heads have dates 1637. Garden front to right is similar and by Salvin with squared stone bay to the left and a gable to the right. Rear elevation has 3 gables of original house to right and 1859 extension with datestone to left. C.1859 single-storey range to centre. Interior: entrance hall has fielded panelling. C18 staircase with half landing and fluted balustrades. Staircase to Salvin wing has large newels, room to rear has C20 painted ceiling

{5} Survey not published in volume; archive at NMR in Swindon.

{6} The Hall's gardens were extended and enlarged in 1854.

{7} Undated photo.

{10} Outstanding See photograph.

{11} [Former list description] 2467 MEARS ASHBY MEARS ASHBY Wilby Road
Mears Ashby Hall
SP 86 NW 3/182 28.5.54.
II*
2.
A large sandstone house of 2 storeys and attics with steep tiled roods and massive chimney stacks and flues. Built 1637 it is on the site of and believed to incorporate some materials from an earlier house. Entrance front, North-West (the only complete elevation) has a large gabled projection at both ends and moulded verges with finials on kneelers and apex. In the centre is a 3-storey porch topped by a curved gable with obelisk finial and on both sides of this, on the recessed part of the front, a small pointed gable.
All windows are stone mullioned; one 3-light in each gable, the central one having a form of ogee head generally following the curve of the gable, those in the smaller pointed gables have a stepped up central light with label following. The ground and 1st floor windows in the end projections are large 2-light
while the central ones, 3 1st and 2 ground floor, are 3-light. The semi-circular headed entrance is flanked by paired columns on base and supporting entablatures from which springs a small blind semi-circular arch. There is a moulded coping to the plinth and a light cornice above the 1st and 2nd storeys. Rain water heads dated 1637. In 1859 an earlier C18 extension to the West was reconstructed in the manner of the original. (J A Gotch, "Squires Homes" etc).

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 16/260 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1986, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G05 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN100394.

<4> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.304 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<5> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996 (circa), The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN103918.

<6> Mears Ashby: Short History and Guide to The Village and The Church, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN109146.

<7> Photographs of buildings in Mears Ashby (Photographs). SNN112861.

<8> Mowl T.; Hickman C., 2008, The Historic Gardens of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106082.

<9> Gotch J.A., 1939, Squires' Homes and Other Old Buildings of Northamptonshire, p.29 (unchecked) (Book). SNN39616.

<10> Colquhoun, FD, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 FDC 28-AUG-70 (Notes). SNN111540.

<11> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, DOE(HHR) Dist. of Wellingborough R.D. Northants. Aug. 1972 54 (Report). SNN112993.

<12> Historic England, Undated, MEARS ASHBY HALL, MEARS ASHBY, BF061912 (Archive). SNN115820.

Record last edited

Dec 22 2023 9:43AM