Park Hall Hotel

WOLVERHAMPTON

SO99NW PARK DRIVE 895-1/5/68 (South side) 11/08/50 Park Hall Hotel

II

House, later Roman Catholic school, now hotel. 1705; additions of later C18; alterations including windows, c1836; C20 alterations and additions. Brick with ashlar dressings; slate roofs with brick stacks. Early Georgian style. 3 storeys; symmetrical 5-window range with flanking 2-storey 3-window ranges; that to left has 3-window extension; that to right has C20 eleven-window extension. Central range has platt bands over ground and 1st floors; top cornice and hipped roof; quoins. Centrepiece has entrance in bolection-moulded eared architrave in aedicule with Doric pilasters, entablature with cherub, vine trail and masks of C17 style and broken segmental pediment; 4-panel door; 1st floor has window in eared architrave, moulded sill and apron in aedicule with Ionic pilasters, entablature with pulvinated frieze and broken pediment; 2nd floor has window in bolection-moulded eared architrave with mask and keystone in aedicule with Corinthian pilasters; other windows have rubbed brick flat arches with fielded-panel keystones; all have 4-pane horned sashes with moulded frames. Wings have similar details; entrance with cornice to left wing; C20 extension to right wing has projecting ground floor. Rear has large C20 single-storey extension; narrow sashed windows above; returns of central range have heads of 2nd floor windows. INTERIOR much altered. One of a number of good early C18 houses in the borough; important as an early Catholic school, founded by Bishop Richard Challoner, with connections with many notable Catholics of the C18 and C19, including John Kemble, actor, and Bishop John Milner (q.v. Church of SS Peter & Paul and Giffard House, North St). (Buscot W, V Rev Canon: The History of Cotton College: London: 1940-: P.3-209; The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Staffordshire: London: 1974-: P.232).

Listing NGR: SO9129895892