Stableblock And Cottages To Former Drakelow Hall At Sk 241203

The stableblock and cottages, located on the former Drakelow Hall estate, date to the early 18th century, with later 18th century additions and 19th and early 20th century alterations. The buildings are constructed of red brick with gauged brick and stone dressings, with the south and east ranges featuring brick bands on their first floors. The west range has a brick plinth and a plain brick eaves band. They have steeply pitched plain tile roofs with brick ridge stacks and wide eaves, forming a U-shaped arrangement consisting of an eight-bay west range, an eight-bay south range, and an eleven-bay east range, all of two storeys.

The late 18th century west range has an advanced, pedimented brick bay with a semi-circular headed arch to its west elevation. This central bay is flanked by pairs of blind semi-circular headed recesses, and bays either side have blocked semi-circular headed arches. A later addition connects the west range to the south range, with 20th-century double doors inserted. The rear or inner elevation of this addition features a semi-circular headed archway mirroring the pedimented bay on the west side; a barrel-vaulted passage runs behind it, with a plaster cornice and 18th-century panelled doors. Semi-circular headed windows with stone keyblocks and a pair of double plank doors are located on either side of this passage, with a further semi-circular headed arch with double plank doors to the north. The south end of this range incorporates a semi-circular headed door and a matching window. Above these openings, four blind recesses (two on each side) and four circular openings within rendered square surrounds are visible. Windows are a mix of metal casements and sashes. The south range has gabled bays at either end of its south elevation, with various inserted openings lacking particular interest. The inner elevation includes three stiled, semi-circular headed doors to the west, and a similar pair to the east, each with metal fanlights and plank and panel doors. The east range is divided into an early 18th century section to the south and a late 18th century section to the north, both significantly altered in the early 20th century. A cottage at the south end has a central, segment-headed, half-glazed door flanked by segment-headed 2-light casements, with matching windows above. An adjoining cottage has a larger 2-light window on the ground floor, along with windows above. Further north, the range now features entirely 20th-century segment-headed windows and doors. Its inner elevation displays numerous 20th-century openings, alongside a semi-circular headed doorcase with a panelled door below a metal fanlight - flanked by semi-circular headed windows with stone keystones - and blocked remains of three semi-circular arched windows with keystones.

The interior of the south range features one queen post truss and one collared truss, both with close studding below the collar. Drakelow Hall was demolished in 1934, and the site is now occupied by Drakelow Power Station.