Exercise Ring Within Belvoir Castle Stable Yard

SK 83 SW BELVOIR

15/191 Exercise Ring within Belvoir Castle Stable 15.8.79 Yard

GV II*

Exercise ring for horses. circa 1819. Brick, part rendered, with Collyweston slate roof. Circular ring (3 metres/12 feet wide) enclosing central space (diameter 6.5 metres/20 feet). The inner wall is solid brick; the outer wall is timber framed with brick cladding below, and open timberwork above (post with 3 connecting rails). 2 doorways to ring from stable yard, the doors planked below, with strap hinges; two doorways to inner circle. Roof: curved common rafters and cambered collars to each pair. 20 horses could be exercised at a time and the grooms felt no dizziness whilst riding. The Belvoir ring is probably the earliest free-standing structure of its kind in England and it occupies an important position in the history of hunting. It forms part of an intact stable complex.

Listing NGR: SK8220633872