Building record 614/1/1 - Ashby Lodge

Built in 1722. Demolished by the mid 20th century

{2} Other information held within Supplementary File.

{3} Documentary references to the Ashby Lodge Estate occur in 1680. Ashby Lodge (SP555691) was built in 1722. In 1718 the estate was purchased by George Arnold. Its grounds were en-livened by a 25 acre lake. A rustic temple was built on the summit of the ridge. Lodges still stand on the B4038, built in the mid-C18th with an early C20th portico between.

{6} Ashby Lodge in 1813, described as a handsome house in modern style, George Arnold.

{7} The first certain historical record of the Ashby Lodge estate dates from 1519, although the estate may be equivalent to a late medieval park at Ashby St Ledgers which is mentioned in deed dated 1458. The estate was purchased in 1718 by George Arnold, who had Ashby Lodge built in 1722.

In its original form Ashby Lodge was a square, three story building. It underwent alterations in 1790. More substantial alterations, including the erection of a west wing and a detached chapel, were undertaken by a later owner, Major Hibbert in or around 1885.

Ashby Lodge itself was completely demolished in the late 1930s, although parts of its stable block and entrance gate still survive.

An earth resistance survey of the former area of the house was undertaken. Much of the internal floor plan can also be discerned, although this becomes unclear in the south where the survey response is least distinct. Most of the rooms were detected in outline, although the porch was a solid high resistance anomaly, perhaps indicating the survival of a stone or mortar floor surface. Another area of enhanced resistance may be another floor or the top of a set of basement steps.

{8} Photographs of the estate in 1919

Nicholas Kingsley, 2015, Landed families of Britain and Ireland, https://landedfamilies.blogspot.com/2015/10/185-arnold-later-coape-arnold-of-ashby.html [17/05/2024] (Website). SNN116354.

<1> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<2> Supplementary File- Ashby Lodge, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN51721.

<3> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.247 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP56NE5 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Evans J., 1813, The Beauties of England and Wales (Northamptonshire), (unchecked) (Book). SNN44614.

<6> Evans J.; Britton J., 1810, The Beauties of England and Wales (Northamptonshire), (unchecked) (Book). SNN1351.

<7> Walford, J, 2017, Archaeological geophysical survey on the former site of Ashby Lodge, Ashby St Ledgers, Northamptonshire, May 2017 (Report). SNN110810.

<8> 1919, Ashby Lodge Sales Catalogue (Catalogue). SNN110811.

Record last edited

May 17 2024 11:51AM