The Grandstand, Cuttle and gate 200 metres north of Swarkestone Hall

The Grandstand, together with its associated gate, is located 200 metres north of Swarkestone Hall. This complex, comprising a bowling green, pavilion, and enclosure, dates to around 1630 and was built for the Harpurs of Swarkestone Hall, with attribution to John Smythson. It underwent restoration in the early 19th century and conversion in 1985. The structure is now owned and managed by the Landmark Trust.

The building is constructed of ashlar, with rendered stone and raised quoins visible on the side and rear elevations, and features first and second floor stringcourses. The towers are topped with domed, ogival leaded roofs, incorporating ball finials and coved eaves cornices, while the central bay exhibits embattled parapets with ridgeback copings masking a flat roof. A tall, octagonal stone chimney, with a moulded base and top, rises centrally from the rear wall.

The pavilion is composed of three-storey towers flanking an advanced two-storey central bay. It stands to the north of an irregularly shaped enclosure defined by boundary walls, with a central gate at the southern end. A continuous band, resembling an entablature, runs along the first floor of the pavilion. The advanced central bay features a ground floor loggia with three depressed ogee-headed arches supported by Tuscan columns, each adorned with moulded hoods. Wide pilasters flank the columns, featuring central shield decorations topped with small drop motifs. Above the columns and pilasters, the entablature projects on shield-like corbels displaying Harpur crests. The towers have moulded four-centre arched doorcases, and above these, a six-light ovolo moulded mullion and transomed window with two major mullions and leaded lights is present. Each tower also includes a two-light cavetto moulded mullion and transomed window, along with a two-light recessed and chamfered mullion window above. The rear elevation displays single-light recessed and chamfered windows with dripmoulds to the towers and a blank wall to the central bay, except for a two-light basement window.

The interior retains a moulded four-centred arched fireplace within a first-floor room, and four-centred arched doorcases elsewhere. Unusual gypsum plaster remains on some walls. Rubble stone walls with triangular sectioned ashlar copings are attached to the sides of the pavilion.

The southern gateway showcases a moulded four-centred arch and a coved cornice topped with embattled parapets. Historical records suggest this gateway may equate to the ‘bowle alley house’ for which the mason Richard Shephard received payment of £111 12s 4d between 1630 and 1632.