Lowesby Hall

LOWESBY SK 70 NW Lowesby Hall 1/60

19.10.51

GV II*

Country House. Early C18. Red brick with blue headers, Swithland slate roof. 2 storeys with attics, square in plan. Entrance front (south east) of 9 bays, the outer 2 bays on each side formerly projecting hipped gabled wings but linked by the insertion (probably also C18) of a full height corridor across the front. In the centre is a full height canted bay, with door case with scrolly open pediment and shield of arms (Fowkes family) over the window above it. The windows on each side of this centre piece are floor length sashes, all others on both floors are 32-light sashes and all have finely gauged brick heads. Some windows are blind painted. Slight projecting brick string-course between the storeys. Modillion eaves cornice. Behind the corridor, the pedimented front of the original building line is visible: a large shield of arms of the Wollaston family is flanked by oculi in the pediment, which, like the rest, has a modillion cornice. Side elevation (N.E.) of 6 bays raised on a basement with blank window recesses. 32-light sash windows with fine gauged brick heads, 2 blind. Garden front (N.W.) of 11-bays, 4-3-4 with central part beneath a pediment and containing door in case with scrolly open pediment. All windows are 32-light sashes. Brick string-course rises over central section. 3 segmentally arched lights in pediment. Lower wing extends to right and is partially the work of Lutyens (1910). 2 storeys, 4-bays with a triple light sash window to each side of doorcase with open pediment, 12-light sash window to right and 4 upper 2-light casements. Gable and axial stacks.

Inside, the central saloon has painted ceiling attributed to the studio of Verrio: this was severely damaged in a fire in 1980, all that survives is the painting on the coving, which depicts Venus with putti etc. Bolection moulded fireplace in this room, and panelling with pedimented doorcases. Much original panelling survives in other rooms. Early C18 principal staircase apparently remodelled to suit the re-arranged plan when the front corridor was added, and now partially freestanding on ornate Corinthian wood columns. Slender balusters, alternately fluted and tightly twisted, 3 to a tread, and continuous rail. Richly carved tread ends, cornice and handrail. Dado panel.

The building probably incorporates an earlier core, apparently of Ketton stone. - The fire of 1980 destroyed the secondary staircase and some panelled interiors, including 1 room remodelled by Lutyens. However all damage has been reinstated.

Listing NGR: SK7217807551