Monument record 6133/1/1 - Fermyn Woods Hall

Early to mid 17th century manor house. Altered and extended during the 18th century and early to mid 19th century. The west wing was demolished during the mid 20th century.

{1}Early-mid C17th country house altered & extended in C18th & C19th; coursed limestone & limestone ashlar with Welsh & Collyweston slate & C20th plain tile roofs; sundial above first floor porch window; Earls of Upper Ossery added west wing in late C18th which was remodelled in C19th & subsequently demolished;

{2}Elizabethan centre of E-plan; neo-Elizabethan extensions built c.1850; C19th west wing demolished but was remodelling of wing of 1788 date;

{4}House shown as belonging to Earl of Upper Ossory;

{5}Farming Woods estate belonging to Montague family;

{7}Photocopy of W.Brasier's map;

{9} Originally one of the hunting lodges in Rockingham Forest and given by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Christopher Hatton. Some parts of the house of this time may remain in the central part of the present building which appears to be mainly 17th century.

The house has been greatly extended and altered in 18th century and again in 19th century. The building is stone with Collyweston slate roof. The central part has a triple gabled 3 bay south front of three storeys the centre gable projecting with 19th century porch. The outer bays have stone mullioned windows on upper floors, 3-light on 2nd floor and 4-light on 1st floor and 8-light mullioned and transomed windows on ground floor. Flanking this block are projecting gabled wings that on left hand two storey, that on right hand three storey with similar windows which are mostly modern restorations. The gables are crowned by finials. A large west wing of three storeys with two storey angular bay on south end, 5 bay west front with central semi-circular bay may incorporate an extension of 1660 but has been altered and apparently increased by one storey in 19th century.

South east of the house and joining to it is a large courtyard group of low stable buildings, partly 17th century and partly 19th century and on the south front of this group is the 17trh century arched gateway removed from Lyveden Old Hall. The arch is flanked by seats in niches crowned by cornice and elaborate scroll cresting and ornamented by coats of arms. On the north east side of the house is a small two storey old service block with original stone mullioned windows probably 16th century in date. Chimneys generally are the traditional local type with groups of square shafts and cornice heads.

{12}View of house across ponds; view of front or possibly west side of house showing terracing; view of front of house;

{13}View of house from parkland & view out over parkland;

{16} Country house. Early/mid C17, altered and extended C18, and early and mid C19 for the Ladies Fitzpatrick and Lord Lyveden. C19 west wing demolished mid C20. Squared coursed limestone and limestone ashlar with Welsh and Colleyweston slate and C20 plain-tile roofs. Double-depth plan with stable courtyard attached. 2 storeys with attic. Entrance front of 5 bays each with gables. Bay to left of centre breaks forward as 2-storey porch, bay to right has small gable and flanking bays have larger gables. 3- and 4-light stone mullion windows to each gable, those at ground floor have transoms. Some attic windows may be C17, others are all C19. Similar windows in return wall of right hand gable. Porch doorway is C20 with ashlar surround. Ashlar gable parapets, kneelers and finials. Ashlar stacks at ridge and ends. Sundial above first floor porch window. 2-storey, 2-window range attached at right angles to far right, links with stables. Stone mullion windows to ground floor and single eaves dormer to first floor. Attic range of rear wing is visible above this range. Elevation to left of entrance front is a 2-window range of reset stone mullion windows. The former west wing was attached to this elevation. Rear elevation has 3 gables, that to left is taller and breaks forward. 3- and 4-light stone mullion windows, all similar to entrance front. Service wing attached to right was removed mid C20. Stables attached to right of entrance front are single storey with attic. C17 gatearch to right of entrance front was built for Sir Lewis Tresham and was reset, mid C19, from Lyveden Old Buildings, Aldwincle. Semi-circular arch flanked by niches with 3 shields above each niche. Moulded stone cornice and entablature surmounted by armorial device with elaborate supporting scrolls. C19 openwork balustrade links to 4-window range to left and gable end of range at right angles to right. Range to left, forming south side of courtyard has casement windows under stone lintels with keyblocks. 3 roof dormers. Ashlar gable parapet to right and hipped roof to left. Range at right angles to left links with entrance front of house, and forms west side of courtyard. 6 bays with doorway, to left of centre, having gable over. Two, 3-light, stone mullion windows to left and three similar 2-light windows, with transoms, to right. Rear elevation of this range, to the courtyard, has central projecting gable and is probably remains of C17 stables. Two 3-light stone mullion windows to right. C19 range to right of gatearch, forming east side of courtyard, is of 5 bays. Central carriage arch with gable over and gabled eaves dormers with 2-light stone mullion windows. Rear elevation has coach house door. C19 two-storey range, to north of courtyard, is former laundry with central lateral stack to courtyard elevation. Stone mullion windows to rear. Interior: entrance hall has mid C19 staircase with elaborately carved newels, all reset from west wing. Mid C19 tiled floor with armorial devices of Lyveden family. Sitting Room and Drawing Room, to left of entrance, have C18 style fireplaces. The house was probably originally a hunting lodge in the Rockingham Forest. It was owned by Sir John Robinson in the early C18 and passed to the Earls of Upper Ossery who added a late C18 west wing which was remodelled C19 and subsequently demolished. The house then passed to the Ladies Fitzpatrick and Lord Lyveden who carried out considerable C19 alterations. (Buildings of England: Northampton hire, p.216; Gotch, J.A., Squires Homes and Other Old Buildings of Northamptonshire, p.7; Northamptonshire Records Office, Architectural Drawings Collection).

{17}Until recently known as Farming Woods but known as Fermynwodes at time of Edward III; formerly lodge in Rockingham Forest; stands in Sylvan surroundings strongly reminiscent of ancient forest; gives architectural description & details of ownership; MORE; Fig.15 shows pump tower;

{19}House shown together with outbuildings & possible yard area;

{20}Printed plan of Farming Woods estate in C19th.

{21}Photocopy of early C18th plan of Farming Woods Walk & house & Bocase Tree & surrounding ridings;

{22}C.1771 inventory of furniture at Farming Woods;

{23} Survey of the kitchen undertaken prior to and during remodelling works. The kitchen is lit by a large four-light stone transom and mullion window.The north facing elevation has an external coating of cement render up to first floor level. At the time of the site visit, a patch of render had been removed, revealing a late 18th century brick wall and a blocked doorway, with timber lintel and brick relieving arch above. The doorway appears to have been blocked during the 20th century. On both sides of the doorway, small timber blocks built into the brickwork indicate the former presence of shelves or racking, which were built into the wall. This suggests that the bin-store may occupy the foot-print of an earlier structure, perhaps a pantry to the kitchen. The limestone mid-height walls of the bin-store itself do not appear to be early.
Internally, all fixtures and fittings within the kitchen were modern, and there were no architectural or historical features present. The flooring consisted of modern ceramic tiles and the false ceiling beams overhead were modern.
A subsequent visit was made during floor reduction. The removed material consisted of mid-orange brown, sandy clay soil, mixed with greyish brown clay lumps, which were flecked with charcoal. The soil contained fragments of brick and mortar and can be characterised as a layer of modern demolition material, which formed a bedding layer for the modern tile floor. Two sherds of post-medieval pottery were recovered from the layer: a fragment from a 17th century stoneware bottle and a sherd of 18th century earthenware. Twentieth century pottery sherds and the remains of a modern steel tin can were also noted.

{27} Two photos dated July 1966;

Hyam, A, 2022, Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication and Historic Building Recording at Fermyn Woods Hall, Causin Way, Brigstock, Northamptonshire, https://doi.org/10.5284/1113922 (Report). SNN113763.

<1> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, p.20-21 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN45868.

<2> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.216 (checked) (Series). SNN1320.

<3> RCHME, 1995, SURVEY, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN55642.

<4> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN1852.

<5> Brasier W., 1728, A Map of Farming Woods and Part of Lyvden Grounds in The Parish and Manor of Brigstock in The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Map). SNN42242.

<6> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.47-49 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<7> 1734, Map of Fermyn Woods (NRO Map 5545), (unchecked) (Map). SNN42244.

<8> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<9> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, DOE (HHR) District of Oundle & Thrapston. R.D. Northants. April 1963, p. 31 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<10> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G09 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<11> Loxston, Rev. G.R., 1977, Church of Saint Andrew, Brigstock, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN108952.

<12> G.1711+1712+1715, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN48687.

<13> G.1780(H1)+G.1781(H2), (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN48688.

<14> Cadman G., 1999, Brigstock, Fermyn Woods Hall, (unchecked) (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN100656.

<15> Mowl T.; Hickman C., 2008, The Historic Gardens of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106082.

<16> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 3/45 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<17> Gotch J.A., 1939, Squires' Homes and Other Old Buildings of Northamptonshire, 7 (unchecked) (Book). SNN39616.

<18> ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS COLLECTION, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN54730.

<19> Bryant A., 1827, Map of The County of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN2733.

<20> 1899, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN42243.

<21> 1750, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN42245.

<22> 1771, YZ 4964, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN42247.

<23> Clarke, S., 2014, An Historic Building Survey of the kitchen at Fermyn Woods Hall, Causin Way, Brigstock, Northamptonshire, (checked) (Report). SNN110195.

<24> Historic England, Undated, FERMYN WOODS, BRIGSTOCK, BF061907 (Archive). SNN113415.

<25> Historic England, Undated, Labelled elevation of Fermyn Woods Hall, RCH01/082/01/193 (Archive). SNN113418.

<26> Crank, N. (Editor), 2023, South Midlands Archaeology (53), P. 78 (Journal). SNN116414.

<27> Miss June Swann, 1960s- 70s, Miss June Swann Photographic Archive (Photographs). SNN116665.

Record last edited

Jan 8 2025 10:46AM