Stables To Belton Park

These are former stables, dating from around 1688, with a later 19th-century addition and 20th-century alterations. They were designed by William Stanton, Master Mason. The stables are constructed of coursed squared stone with an ashlar front and dressings, and have gabled and hipped slate roofs. Four square ashlar ridge stacks rise from the roof. A plinth and moulded eaves cornice run around the building. The building is two storeys high with attics, and has an eleven-window front arranged in bays of 1:4:1:4:1. Most windows are casements with diamond-pane glazing, stone mullions, and moulded stone surrounds.

The front, facing the courtyard, has projecting central and end bays, with the hipped end bays distinguished by quoins and first-floor bands. The central bay features a pedimented doorcase flanked by round arched niches, containing a panelled door and overlight. Flanking the door are larger cross casements. The left return has four round arched carriage entrances with panelled double doors, imposts and keystones above. Two box dormers are positioned above. The right return contains two reglazed 2-light casements on the upper floor, with a reglazed segment arched window below. A plank door is to the left, and a canopied opening to a shoeing floor is to the right. A 19th-century loose box is situated to the right, featuring a coped gable with finials, topped with an ogee-domed octagonal cupola. It has a central panelled door flanked by cross casements.

The rear elevation, which faces Belton House Drive, has projecting central and end bays with coped gables, kneelers, and finials. Flush quoins and modillion eaves are present. A 2-light window is centrally positioned, with a crest above it under a cornice, and a moulded cornice with a doorcase and panelled door below. Each return features a 2-light window above and a larger cross casement below, with three windows on each floor. The end bays include a loft door with a landing on brackets and a cross casement below.

The interior retains some original stalls, with turned wooden columns to the left of the entrance supporting an entablature. Stalls to the right have segmental arches, shaped partitions, and recessed round mangers. Moulded doorcases with pulvinated friezes and cornices are a feature of both sides.