Building record 8331/1/4 - Stable block and carriage house at Park View

A carriage house built in the 1830s and adjoining range of stables erected circa 1860 during the ownership of Park View by the Earl of Pomfret

{1} Photographs and illustrations;
The carriage house is a two-storey north-facing brick structure with two large four-centred openings on the ground floor. These were originally open but are now filled with later brickwork. Above the first floor is a deep parapet above a plat-band which is surmounted by battlements with moulded brick copings. The stable block was described as newly erected in 1869 replacing earlier stables erected in the 1830s. The decoration of the coronet and cockerel's head helm crest of the Earl of Pomfret on the cast-iron hopper heads indicate they were erected during the ownership of the 5th Earl between 1855 and 1867. The likely tenant was Thomas Bateson.

The ground floor provided 6 horse boxes and probable tack room with rooms above. The central bay projected forward; provided with a gable, large clock and timber bell-cote.

{2} Historic England received an application to list the stables at Park View, but the criteria for listing were not fulfilled.

The stables are constructed from red brick laid in English bond with dressings of stone and rubbed brick and a slate roof covering. The south range has two storeys under a pitched roof. At the east end is a small remaining section of the 1830s castellated carriage house, with two four-centred arch openings, which adjoined the house before its demolition. Its roof has collapsed causing a breach in the north wall. To the left, the stable has a central gabled bay lit by a window with a stone semicircular arch and an oculus above. It is surmounted by a decorative bell-cote with wooden louvres and a pyramidal roof. There are two lower bays to the left and three to the right, both with two doors under semicircular stone arches with radial glazing bars to the fanlights. Some original plank and batten doors remain but most have been replaced. The first-floor windows are C20 replacements under segmental stone arches. The residential accommodation on the first floor is accessed via the plain rear elevation from external metal steps which also lead to a C20 conservatory supported on a timber platform. All the windows are C20 replacements.

{3} There is no longer any visible evidence of the former house apart from fragmentary remains at the eastern extent of the stables. The surviving stable building comprises a single rectangular range that incorporates a projecting gable bay with decorative features such as stone quoins, stone aperture dressings, an oculus aperture and a timber bell-cote. Otherwise the building is relatively unadorned and probably intended to be subservient to the elaborately styled gothic Park View House.

<1> Giggens, B, 2018, Historic Towcester Survey: Park View, London Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN111153.

<2> Historic England, 2020, Stables at Park View, London Road, Towcester (Designation Advice Report). SNN111826.

<3> Richard Hardy, 2024, Park View Stables, Towcester, Northamptonshire, Historic Building Recording (Report). SNN116364.

Record last edited

Jun 13 2024 9:30AM