Range Of Stables On North Side Of Stable Yard At Heath House Stables

The range of stables, dating to 1881, was built as an addition to the original Heath House Stables for Edward Wetherby, on behalf of racehorse trainer Matthew Dawson. Constructed of red brick with gault brick and moulded stone dressings, the stables have a low-pitched, end-gabled slate roof with a central cross-gabled section.

The plan is of a long range, containing ten loose boxes on each side of a slightly projecting central section that once enclosed a cross-passage leading to a paddock, now the entrance to a large, late 20th-century covered riding area at the rear. A slightly recessed extension at the west end contains feed and tack rooms.

The exterior is symmetrical; the main range is single-storey, with a loft storey over the three loose boxes within the centrepiece which is two storeys high. A gault brick plinth and brick quoining define corners and door and window openings. Doorways feature white rubbed brick flat-arches, capped with dressed stone and cyma reversa hood mouldings in the central section. A weather vane depicting a hare being chased by hounds sits atop the central gable.

Inside, the loose boxes are separated by timber partitions, with hoop-iron strapping lining the walls and patent tile paving on the floor.

The stables were built to expand the original Heath House Stables, which, along with the original Heath House, were demolished in 1975. From the late 17th to the early 18th century, the stables were occupied by Tregonwell Frampton, known as the Father of the Turf. Matthew Dawson occupied the stables from 1862 until his retirement to Exning in 1885. This range forms part of a group with a smaller range on the west side of the yard. Stop-chamfered spine beams with run-out stops are present.