Stable Block North East Of Ickwell Bury

The stable block northeast of Ickwell Bury dates from the early 1680s and was built for John Harvey. It was later reworked and converted for accommodation between 1938 and 1940 by A S G Butler for Colonel G H Wells. The building is constructed of red brick and features hipped clay tile roofs. It has an L-plan layout, is one storey high with attics, and the southeast elevation displays a window arrangement of 1:3:2:3:1, with the outer and central bays slightly projecting. There is an unbroken coved wood cornice running the entire length of the building and ten mullion and transom windows. The central bay has a blocked area that was likely originally a door. The conversion added ten hipped dormers with 2-light casements, all of which have leaded lights. At the center of the building is a bell turret topped with a small copper dome supported by eight Tuscan columns. The weather vane on the turret originally displayed the Harvey arms but has borne the Bedford School crest since its restoration in the 1970s. The bell, inscribed "J.W. 1684," is believed to be made by John Walton, while the clock, dated 1683, is thought to be the work of Thomas Tompion. The courtyard elevation mirrors the fenestration of the main facade, with integral red brick stacks added during the conversion and an archway to the left-hand side. The northeast block, which is two storeys high with attics, was converted into a chauffeur's house during the same period and features three pairs of double doors and a variety of casements with leaded lights.