Hainton Hall

Hainton Hall is a country house of major architectural importance, developed over nearly four centuries. The principal phases of construction and remodelling date to 1638, 1737, 1809 by Peter Atkinson, 1875 by William Burn, and the 20th century including work by James Hemmings in 1971-2 and Charles Morris in 1985.

The building is constructed in red brick with yellow limestone ashlar dressings, and coursed limestone rubble with limestone ashlar dressings. It is roofed with slate, with 2 tall rendered stacks to the rear and 2 red brick lateral stacks. The west range dates to 1809 and was remodelled in 1971-2 when the top floor was removed and the exterior encased in reproduction 18th century red bricks around 1970.

The west front is 2 storeys with a 7 bay elevation, of which 2 bays are recessed to the left. The front has a plinth and a large rectangular porch of 1875 positioned to the right, featuring one and a half Ionic columns on each side of a large rectangular overlight above double plank doors. Single glazing bar sashes appear on the north and south return walls of the porch. Single bays flanking the porch project slightly, with 3 long glazing bar sashes flanking the porch itself and 2 long glazing bar sashes in the recessed bays to the left. A glazing bar sash flanked by two single narrow glazing bar sashes rises above the porch, with 3 glazing bar sashes to the right and 5 to the left. All windows feature moulded ashlar architraves dating to 1809. A central 20th century modillioned pediment carries a coat of arms. The elevation is completed by a broad modillioned cornice with overhanging eaves.

The south end features a plinth and long glazing bar sash with another above, both with moulded ashlar architraves with raised keystones. A re-entrant corner between a projecting south bay to the left and the 18th century front to the right contains a narrow rendered polygonal turret with 3 glazing bar sashes arranged vertically with moulded architraves and raised keystones. The turret is crowned with an ogee lead-covered cap carrying a weathervane.

The east front is 2 storeys with 5 bays in the 17th century style, with a plinth and central doorway featuring a moulded architrave, scrolled brackets and 20th century double glazing doors. An escutcheon of 1638 sits above the doorway. The doorway is flanked by 2 glazing bar sashes on each side with 5 glazing bar sashes above, all with moulded architraves and raised keystones. A wall to the right carries quoins with a gable above coped in stone. A five-sided bay of 1985 to the right features 2 long glazing bar sashes with 2 smaller glazing bar sashes beyond, and 5 glazing bar sashes above, all of 1737 with moulded architraves and raised keystones. A plaque above the second window to the right bears a Heneage greyhound and the inscription '1985'. The bay is crowned with a lead-covered ogee-shaped cap rising to a finial.

Interior

The hall is exceptional for its interior decoration. A two-storey hall of 1737 features giant order fluted pilasters with egg and dart banding on the dado. A richly moulded modillioned cornice with rosettes and egg and dart bands crowns the space. Six pedimented doorways carry moulded doorcases with egg and dart decoration. The fine plaster ceiling displays delicate panels with tendrils, baskets spewing fruit and flowers, birds and bayleaf decoration. A grey and white marble fireplace features caryatids in profile and a central garlanded face, with a chimney piece above carrying an eared and shouldered architrave, pediment with cartouche and central painting.

The staircase hall of 1737 to the rear incorporates a screen passage with fluted Ionic columns and round-headed doorways at each end with traceried fanlights and moulded architraves. A three-flight return staircase of 1737 has carved tread ends with three slender fluted bannisters with square knops and acanthus leaf bulbs to each tread. The handrail is a moulded example of 19th century date. An Ionic pilastered Venetian window features egg and dart banding, with a dado carrying a band of Greek key pattern and fielded panelled walls. A delicately plastered ceiling displays ornate panels with baskets of flowers and tendrils.

The morning room of 1737 contains two richly decorated doorways with scrolled open pediments carrying rosettes, entablatures with rich carving of garlands and birds, moulded shouldered architraves and panelled doors. A moulded cornice with egg and dart ornaments the room. The ceiling dates to the mid-20th century and displays a circle of beribboned flowers and plain panels. The dado carries egg and dart banding. A marble fireplace with orange marble details features an urn with roses.

A T-plan hall of 1807 features 2 fluted Ionic columns with a modillioned cornice incorporating triglyphs and greyhounds. The dining room of 1807 retains its contemporary frieze, doorcase, shutters and bookcases. The drawing room of 1807 features a contemporary Adam style cornice, dados, ornate doorcases, plaster ceilings and a white marble fireplace with a classical sacrificial scene.

Hainton has been the country seat of the Heneage family since the 13th century.