Gatehouse, 2 Lodges, Stables, Coach House, Clock Tower, Walls

EASTON EASTON PARK SK 92 NW Gatehouse, 2 lodges, 6/80 stables, coach- house, clock tower, walls G.V. II Gatehouse, 2 lodges, stables, coach house, clock tower, walls. 1841 with later C19 addition and minor C20 alterations. Ashlar and squared coursed limestone rubble with ashlar dressings, yellow brick, slate roofs. Gatehouse, with stable yard and clock tower to right, has to either side stone walls forming open courtyard framed by single attached lodges. The square 2 storey, 3 bay gate tower has semi-circular archway with moulded impost and architraves with stepped keyblocks and planked double gates. The projecting angle towers have single rectangular lights to each storey and moulded string courses. The tops are of helmed form with pinnacles. Above the archway is a canted oriel with cross mullioned window having corbelled out base supporting frieze with blank shields. On the corbel a shield bears the date 1841 and initials MIC. In the oriel window is stained glass reflecting the chambers use as a private chapel. To the right is a 4 centred arched planked doorway and 2 light mullioned window over, with beyond a 2 storey irregular 4 bay L-plan house, with stepped and coped decorative gables with ball finials to projecting wing. Attached to the right hand side is a tall wall with gabled coping, ramped to a central gateway having square piers, moulded cornices and orbs. Attached to the wall is a small lodge, balancing a matching lodge opposite which is now derelict and overgrown. Both lodges have shaped decorative gables with ball finials and square panels with blank shields to each gable. To left of the gatehouse is a high wall with 2 rectangular windows, an arched 4 centred doorway and 2 light mullioned window over. Beyond a semi-circular headed gateway has moulded strapwork decorated keystone bracket supporting a sheaf of corn. To either side are slightly advanced 2 storey ranges with shaped gables, with ball finials, and square plaques, carved with the Cholmeley griffin. In the stable yard are basket arched carriage doors, and in the corner a square clock tower with panelled door to base, and 3 clock faces to the principal sides, with a parapet on mock machicolations with grotesque carving. Otherwise buildings are single storey, yellow brick, added to the original design. Easton Hall, seat of the Cholmeley family, was a medieval house rebuilt early C19, substantially altered c.1840 and demolished in 1951. It stood on the south side of the gatehouse.

Listing NGR: SK9276426711