Building record 426/1/5 - Possible Late C17th Forge & Cart Shed

{5} The two storey, three bay building is sited in the north-west corner of the Inner Stable Yard, north of Stanford Hall. The Forge occupies the north bay of the building which is a single volume, open to the underside of the roof. (The adjacent two bays to the west are occupied by a Pottery and comprise both ground and first floor levels.) There is structural evidence that the Old Forge once had two floors. The forge hearth with its slack tub and leather bellows remain adjacent to the north wall.
The Old Forge is housed in the north pavilion of two matching pavilions on the west side of the Inner Stable Court. These, with the adjacent Cart Shed along the north side of the Court were supposedly constructed in 1737 at the same time as the impressive Stable Block, designed by Francis Smith of Warwick. However, the distinct superiority of both the design and the materials of the latter suggests that the buildings around the Inner Court perhaps form part of an earlier build, possibly dating from the construction of the Hall in 1697. The building is an essential part of the balancing group on the west side of its Court.
The forge is an important surviving element of the service buildings which are required for the functioning of a significant agricultural estate.
The building is suffering from subsidence, particularly along its west wall, as a result of the proximity of five mature elm trees. Its roof has recently been retiled, although some tiles have since been broken; and open joints in brickwork have recently been repointed on the east elevation. (The building is ecologically important as a roost for bats.)
Plans, elevations and photographs included with further details.

<1> Nichols J., 1807, The History and Antiquities of The County of Leicester (v.4 pt.1 The Hundred of Guthlaston), p.350 (unchecked) (Series). SNN42842.

<2> RUSSELL P., 1955, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Leicestershire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN42825.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP57NE9 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> English Heritage, 1994, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (1994, Leicestershire), Stanford Hall Park (unchecked) (Report). SNN42820.

<5> Donald Insall Associates, 2010, Historic Building Recording for The Old Forge, Stanford Hall, Stanford-On-Avon, Leicestershire, (checked) (Report). SNN107123.

Record last edited

Sep 9 2014 4:10PM