Ogston Hall And Attached Stable Block

Ogston Hall and attached stable block

A country house with attached stable block, built and modified over several centuries. The main structure dates from around 1500, with significant additions in 1659, 1694, and 1768. The house underwent major refashioning from 1851 to 1864 by the architect T C Hine, and a further addition was made in 1910.

The building is constructed of ashlar gritstone on the 18th and 19th century parts, with coursed sandstone rubble to the earlier sections. Sandstone dressings and quoins are used throughout, with the 18th and 19th century ones rusticated. Roofs are slate with leaded or stone ridges. The building features numerous stone and brick stacks on the side and ridge walls, notably a range of five octagonal 19th century pots to the south-west range.

The hall is roughly quadrangular in plan, with two storeys plus attics and basements, and a projecting stable block to the east. The north and west ranges are originally 17th century and earlier, while the south-east corner dates from 1768 and was refashioned from 1851 onwards. A 1910 infill connects this corner to the north range.

The east facade to the south displays a five-bay 18th century house now masked by two-storey Victorian additions. A central three-bay semi-circular headed arcade with pilasters on piers dominates the composition. Behind survives a 1768 doorcase with Tuscan columns, a metope frieze, and a semi-circular headed moulded door. On either side sit 1851 canted mullion and transomed bay windows, with two similar bay windows above. Between these are three mullion and transom windows with rounded top corners, separated by pilasters. Above sits a balustraded parapet with a central coat of arms. Behind this are four 1768 glazing bar sashes in moulded aedicules and a central Diocletian window, with original glazing bars intact. A dentilled cornice and plain parapet with a central balustraded section crown this facade.

To the north, a 1910 addition follows the style of the 1851 work.

The south facade displays varied architectural periods. To the east, the 1768 house features two 19th century bay windows: the eastern one is two storeys with a balustraded top and a window of three semi-circular headed full-height lights below and a three-light mullion window above; the western bay is canted with a huge double transomed four-light mullioned window with semi-circular heads on all lights. Above is a 19th century four-light recessed and chamfered mullioned and transomed window with a hood. Two single-light 19th century windows sit to the east, with 1768 parapets featuring two sections of balustrading.

Beyond to the west lies a double-gabled, Victorianised 17th century section with three 19th century two-light mullion windows with pointed lights. Between the western two sits a buttress supporting a 19th century oriel with mullion and transomed windows. To the east is a recessed and chamfered mullion and transom window with a hood. Above are one two-light and one three-light 19th century window with pointed lights and Tudor hoods. The east gable displays 19th century Flemish work, while the west gable is plain.

Recessed to the west stands a Victorianised 16th century gabled section with a large recessed and chamfered mullion and transom window below and a smaller similar four-light window above. Behind rises a five-storey 19th century Gothic tower with castellated parapets and a domed stair turret.

The northern stable block comprises seven bays with recessed and chamfered mullion windows. A large double chamfered 19th century depressed arch leads through to the east facade at the east end. To the west stands a re-used late medieval gatehouse with a four-centred archway and a small pointed pedestrian door, topped by 19th century castellated parapets. The eastern gable bears a datestone inscribed "RE 1694".

The inner courtyard retains 1768 windows with moulded aedicules on the south-east, plus a re-set datestone inscribed "WET 1768". Evidence of early 17th century building survives to the west. A raised walk with two sets of twin dog kennels below features two four-centred arched doorcases and recessed and chamfered mullion windows, with similar windows above in dormers. To the north sits a 1810 stone sundial set obliquely into the wall over a semi-circular arch.

The interior is largely 19th century but contains various pieces of re-used 17th century panelling and fireplaces. The dining room retains moulded 17th century crossed beams with plasterwork central boss, originally the first floor ceiling. The kitchen features early 16th century heavily moulded crossed beams with a carved central boss of a hand clasping a dagger. An 18th century fireplace and built-in corner cupboard occupy a room off the hall. A 19th century service staircase incorporates re-used Elizabethan turned balusters. An elaborate 19th century stone staircase with a wooden gallery above stands in the main circulation space. Behind this, two original 1768 doors survive.