The Stables

The Stables are a stable block and coach house complex, built between 1768 and 1769 by Samuel Wyatt, based on an original, larger design by Robert Adam. The building is constructed of red brick with sandstone ashlar dressings, covered by plain tile and Welsh slate roofs, featuring five ridge stacks. It incorporates a stone plinth and a moulded stone eaves cornice. The building is two storeys high. The main stable range is in an L-shaped plan, with a return range forming a courtyard.

The north elevation has a symmetrical arrangement of 3-7-3 bays. The central portion features seven giant recessed round arches with a stone impost band acting as the sills for seven Diocletian windows. The central bay is open at ground level as a carriage arch. To the left are two wooden cross windows and a doorway with stable doors and an overlight, all under wedge brick lintels. To the right are two similar windows and a blocked door. Taller, pedimented end pavilions project forward. Each pavilion has a giant round arch with an impost band and a Diocletian window. Circular windows are set within moulded square surrounds on each side. The ground floor features a central double door with a louvred overlight under a wedge brick lintel, flanked by similar doors with overlights (to the west pavilion) and by cross windows (to the east pavilion). An archway at the east end connects to a single-storey pavilion at a right angle, possessing a pedimented projecting centre bay with a stepped round-arched entrance, flanked by doorways with blind windows (partly rebuilt in the 20th century). The east elevation consists of six bays with six Diocletian windows with a continuous sill band and six casement windows above, also under wedge brick lintels. The courtyard elevations are simpler in design, with doors and cross windows to the ground floor and casement windows above. A first-floor sill band runs along the courtyard elevations.

The return range on the south side is six bays wide, accommodating six coach houses, each with a segmental-headed entrance. A later single-storey range is attached to the southeast of the main range. The west range contains an impressive stable interior, extending almost the full length of the range. The interior is arranged over five bays, with two rows of Tuscan Doric columns. A groin vaulted plaster ceiling covers the space. Pilasters run along the walls, and blind Diocletian windows on the inner wall echo the windows found in the outer wall. Original stable fittings remain in place.