Stables At Arbury Hall And Attached Wall And Gate Pier To Left

NUNEATON AND BEDWORTH ARBURY PARK SP38NW 4/13 Stables at Arbury Hall and 01/01/56 attached wall and gatepier to left GV I

Stable block and attached wall and gatepier. c.1675. Possibly designed by Sir William Wilson. English bond brick with sandstone dressings. Plain-tile roof has stone-coped gable parapets; internal and external stacks to rear are mostly C19. U-plan with wings to rear and projecting entrance block. 2 storeys and attic; 3-5-2-5-3 bays. Moulded plinth, rusticated alternating quoins, moulded string courses and cornice. Symmetrical front. Centre projects by 2 bays. Large classical portal has moulded round arch with console keystone and moulded imposts. Paired Ionic half-columns and entablature with pulvinated frieze, and open pediment containing elaborate cartouche of arms with garlands. Deeply-recessed double-leaf fielded 6-panelled doors and overlight with many glazing bars. Recessed cavetto-moulded leaded cross windows with eared and shouldered architraves and brick flat arches throughout. Painted sundial between first first floor windows has patterned surround and inscription 'LIFE'S BUT A WALKING SHADOW'. Slightly-projecting cross-wings have ashlar doorways with moulded round arch and keystone, sunk spandrels with hemispheres, and broken pediment with ball finials, and moulded and fielded 8-panelled doors. First floor windows throughout have blind upper lights; some blind windows. Shaped gables to centre and wings have moulded kneelers, ball finials and windows with cornices. Centre has clock in diagonally-set painted moulded frame. 3-bay return sides. Left side has fielded 4-panelled and 6-panelled doors with large stone lintels. Rear is irregular, with some C19 additions and alterations. In 1674 Sir Christopher Wren was paid for 2 drawings for the portal, but they were not used. Interior not inspected. Wall of Flemish garden wall bond brick with stone coping. Sandstone ashlar gatepier has moulded plinth and cornice, and ball finial with fillet. (VCH: Warwickshire, Vol. IV, p174; Buildings of England: Warwickshire, p68; G.C. Tyack: Country House Building in Warwickshire, 1500-1914, p199; Gordon Nares: Arbury Hall, Warwickshire I: Country Life, 8 October, 1953, pp1126-1127)

Listing NGR: SP3346489326