Building record 4192/3/1 - Dingley Hall

[Known as Dingley Hall Apartments] Originally pre-reformation preceptory of the Knights Hospitaliers of St John. The building was used as a country house and dates mainly 1558-60. Additions were made during the 1670s and 1680s. The gatehouse dates to the mid 17th century. The Hall was converted into 10 flats with individual names during the 20th century. Flats 1,2 and 3, Porch House, Bell Tower, Cloisters, South Wing, Pediment, The Corner House and Tower House.

{1} Country house, now 10 dwellings. Originally Pre-Reformation preceptory of the knights Hospitalers of St. John but mainly 1558-60 for Edward Griffin and 1670's and 1680's for Sir Edmund Griffin; the latter work is probably by Hugh May or Captain W. Winde. Limestone, lias and ironstone ashlar with Swithland slate roof. Originally courtyard plan now irregular U-shape with projecting wings. Late C17 main front of 8-window range of C20 casements with glazing bars in original openings with moulded stone architraves. String course between floors. Dentilled wood cornice and 5 roof dormers with wood pediments have C20 roof windows between. Hipped roof with ashlar stacks, with moulded cornices, at ridge and eaves. Late C17 projecting wing to left is similar of 3-window range with rusticated quoins. Fine mid C16 porch relocated C19 on end of wing has pairs of fluted Corinthian columns at ground floor flanking 4-centred arch head opening with frieze above. C20 first floor casement in original opening has moulded stone surround with pediment over and ball finials at base and apex. Square panels with rosettes around window and flanking shafts terminating as bulbous pinnacles. Central moulded flourish with volutes and shell. Return walls of porch are similar. Mid C16 wing projects to right of main front and is the rear of the gatehouse. 4-window range of 3-light stone mullion windows, 3 with arch-head lights and one with transom. 2 to left are flanked by pilasters rising from 4-bay ground floor open arcade, of arches with 4-centred heads. Range to right of arcade has 2 C20 doors also with 4-centred arched heads and two 2-light stone mullion windows with arch-head lights. Cornices between floors and ashlar parapet with elongated half-decagons with concave sides and shell and armorial decoration. C20 mansard extension to roof. Octagonal turret to far right has similar parapet with rounded merlons. Late C17 garden front to right of main front of 7-window range of C20 casements with glazing bars in original openings with moulded stone surrounds. Centre 3 bays break forward with pediment over with dentilled wood cornice. Central door opening has C20 casement with moulded stone surround and segmental pediment over, window above has wide moulded stone surround and bracketed cornice. String course between floors and rusticated quoins at corners. Hipped roof with 3 roof dormers and ashlar stacks at ridge. Mid C17 limestone ashlar gatehouse attached to left was originally main entrance to courtyard. Double gates under 4-centred arch head with decorated spandrels flanked by pilasters with corbels supporting diagonal pilasters to first floor. 6-light stone-mullion and transom window to first floor with pediment over. Cornices between floors, and parapets with 3 bulbous finials. Flanking octagonal turrets have parapets with semi-circular merlons. Mid C17 one- and 2-window ranges to left and right of gatehouse are similar with plain parapet and merlons. Inscription around gate arch is part Latin relating to King Philip of Spain. Late C17 elevation to right of garden front of 2-window range with canted projection. Elevation to left of main front has C20 casements. Rear elevation restored C20 has mid C17 turret to right with 2- and 3-light stone mullion windows with arch-head lights and a castellated parapet. Interiors: remodelled late C20, some spiral stairs remain in turrets. House occupied by Griffin family until late C18, then by Hungerforo family. Viscounts Downe, who probably relocated the main porch, and then by Admiral, Earl Beatty. (Country Life: Feb. 14, 1903, p.208 by J.A. Gotch; April 16, 1921, p.462; April 23, 1921 p.494).

{2} Country house now converted into 10 dwellings; originally pre-Reformation preceptory but fabric mainly 1558-60 for Edward Griffin & 1670s & 1680s for Sir Edmund Griffin; latter work is probably by Hugh May or Captain W. Winde. Limestone & lias & ironstone ashlar with Swithland slate roof; original courtyard plan now U-shaped with projecting wings; C20th alterations externally & internally.

{3} "Dingley Hall & Church"; shows hall on left hand side as view through parkland with smaller areas enclosed by railings; rest of village visible to right of hall.

{4} No remains of the earlier preceptory building could be identified in fabric of Dingley Hall.

{5} "Dingley: west front of Porter's Ward"; shows extremely elaborate building with turret; probably part of main hall.

{6} Rare architectural style between 1550-60. The former medieval preceptory was dissolved at Reformation but fabric of this earlier period may have been incorporated or re-used. Main building periods are 1558-60 by Edward Griffin and 1680s by Sir Edward Griffin. The latter may have used wife's relation architect Hugh May. A courtyard house originally but west wing was pulled down in 1780-2. The east wing was partly demolished in 1972. Decoration on porch of similar style to Thorpe family (cf. Kirby Hall) that they may have been employed at Dingley. The courtyard was approached from the south through a gateway still flanked by polygonal towers. Inscription and date of 1560. Edward Griffin was Attourney General to Edward VI and Queen Mary. According to inscriptions on the buildings he was also a fanatical Catholic and forerunner of Sir Thomas Tresham in the architectural demonstration of his faith.

{8} House shown standing immediately to east of main road northwards to Sutton Basset.

{9} House shown standing immediately to east of main road northwards to Sutton Basset.

{10} Dingley is much rebuilt but some remains of Renaissance work of Edward Griffin are apparent including eccentric mouldings and curious inscriptions. Edward Griffin was Attourney-General to Queen Mary and purchased Dingley during her reign.

{11} Small article on Dingley hall on its restoration in 1970's.

{12} Glossy article on restoration of Dingley Hall looking at the period from 1958 to 1980.

{13} Glossy article on the restoration of Dingley Hall in the 1970's.

{14} New owner, Colin Forsyth, buys Dingley Hall and article says that Dingley Hall's future is safe at last.

{15} Article on deterioration of Dingley Hall.

{16} Article saying that Mr. Colin Forsyth may restore Dingley Hall.

{17} Article saying Colin Forsyth had restored the garden after the grass had been chest high…

{18} Article about "the lingering death of Dingley Hall".

{19} Article saying Lucca Wine company had put in big cash bid to rescue hall.

{20} Article saying the restored Dingley hall will provide 13 homes.

{21} Article saying that the convertion to luxury apartments will cost #500,000.

{22} Article saying £500,000 lease of life for Hall.

{23} Article saying that with the new owners, The Lucca Wine Company Ltd., the future looks rosier for Dingley Hall.

{24} "Hall: Porter's Ward" no.37; "Part of Dingley Hall" no.31; index only; sketches not found in vol.17.

{25} Edward Griffin Esq and lord of manor hath handsome seat here which is part old and part modern.

{26} Griffins of Braybrook moved to Dingley where they had mansion rebuilt from 1558 when the park was also made.

{27} Five undated photos, three photos dated Jan 1964, all taken from different aspects;

{40} Priory Manor was granted to Edward Hastings in 1540. Reversion of manor purchased of crown in 1543 by Edward Griffin for £360.8s.2d..

{43} I Dingley Hall

Mid 16th century and later with probable remains of 15th century building. The main building, which is an attractive later 17th century house in sandstone with limestone dressing and was built on to one side of the rectangular arcade of the 16th century house, of which the original entrance and one other wing survive. These portions of the earlier limestone building with octagonal towers and decorative battlements date from 1560. In the latter part of 18th century the side of the quadrangle opposite the entrance was demolished. The porch, dated 1558, was preserved and re-erected as the main entrance to the later house. The interior has been altered many times. Country Life refs. xiii, 208; xlix, 462,494. The Architectural Review. November 1949,294.

{44} Dingley Hall has been disused for some years but has now been sold and is shortly to be restored. See photographs.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 3/40 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G06 p.20-21 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN100754.

<3> CLARKE G., 1850, Pencil Sketches, No 21 (checked) (Drawing). SNN46348.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP78NE10 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> CLARKE G., 1850, Pencil Sketches, No 23 (checked) (Drawing). SNN47884.

<6> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.185-87 (checked) (Series). SNN1320.

<7> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, p.29+30+170-175 (part checked) (Book). SNN41757.

<8> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN1852.

<9> Bryant A., 1827, Map of The County of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN2733.

<10> Gotch J.A., 1890, The Renaissance in Northamptonshire, p.87-114 (checked) (Paper/s). SNN42225.

<11> Martin K.; Weighton B., 1976, Unconventional Approaches to Design, (checked) (Article). SNN43616.

<12> BINNEY M., 1980, The Rescue of Dingley Hall, p.1990-1993 (checked) (Article). SNN43617.

<13> FURNESS M., 1980, Saving Grace at Dingley Hall, p.1148-1153 (checked) (Article). SNN43618.

<14> 1969, The Evening Telegraph, (checked) (Journal). SNN43619.

<15> 1966, The Guardian, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN43620.

<16> 1970, The Northampton Independent, (checked) (Article). SNN43621.

<17> 1971, The Chronicle and Echo, (checked) (Journal). SNN43622.

<18> 1975, The Evening Telegraph, (checked) (Article). SNN43623.

<19> 1976, The Evening Telegraph, (checked) (Journal). SNN43624.

<20> 1976, The Evening Telegraph, (checked) (Journal). SNN43625.

<21> 1976, The Evening Telegraph, (checked) (Journal). SNN43626.

<22> 1976, The Evening Telegraph, (checked) (Journal). SNN43627.

<23> 1976, The Chronicle and Echo, (checked) (Article). SNN43628.

<24> CLARKE G., 1850, Pencil Sketches, (part checked) (Catalogue). SNN47883.

<25> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.304-307 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<26> CAMDEN, 1806, Britannia, (unchecked) (Book). SNN47888.

<27> Photographs of buildings in Dingley (Photographs). SNN111646.

<28> , 1903, Dingley Hall, p.208-16 (unchecked) (Article). SNN60444.

<29> 1921, Country Life (1921), p.462 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN60445.

<30> 1921, Country Life (1921), p.494 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN60446.

<31> Binney M., 1980, The Rescue of Dingley Hall, p.1990-3 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN58927.

<32> Gotch J.A., 1936, The Old Halls and Manor Houses of Northamptonshire, p.33-4 (unchecked) (Book). SNN44101.

<33> HALL F., 1926, Registers of Dingley, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN58929.

<34> Bloom Harvey J., 1921, The Griffins of Dingley, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN58891.

<35> 1924, Sale Catalogue, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN54737.

<36> CLARKE G., NRO X513 VOL XII, No.34 (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN58892.

<37> CLARKE G., NRO X513 VOL.XV, No.29 (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN58893.

<38> 1883, Sale Catalogue, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN58894.

<39> NRO IL 5275, (unchecked) (Document). SNN54344.

<40> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.143 (checked) (Series). SNN100369.

<41> 1839, Dingley Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN28281.

<42> Mowl T.; Hickman C., 2008, The Historic Gardens of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106082.

<43> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, DOE(HHR) Dist. of Kettering R.D. Northants. Feb. 1950 6 (Report). SNN112993.

<44> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 FDC 06-JUN-1969 (Notes). SNN112950.

<45> Historic England, DINGLEY HALL, DINGLEY (Archive). SNN115421.

Record last edited

Oct 24 2024 11:46AM