Stable block at the Home of Compassion

Former stable block. Circa 1786 with clock mechanism dated 1792. Architect not at present identified. Adapted into residential accommodation after 1905.

MATERIALS: stock brick in Flemish bond with a hipped slate roof, three brick chimneystacks and a wide dentilled and bracketed wooden eaves cornice. Slate and wooden clock tower and cupola.

PLAN: rectangular plan, of two storeys, in seven bays to the entrance front and three bays to the ends, with a central clock tower with a cupola. Internally there was originally stabling on the ground floor with a hayloft and accommodation above.

EXTERIOR: the principal front faces south-east. It is symmetrical in seven bays with a central clock tower with a splayed base clad in slate, on which is a clock face in a wooden pedimented surround. Above is an open wooden cupola, square on plan, which contains a bell and is surmounted by a domed wooden cupola under a gilded weathervane. The ground floor has a blind arcade of round-headed gauged brick arches containing flat-arched leaded casement windows. The first floor has sash windows with glazing bars under gauged heads and a central loading door.

In the centre is a ribbed, planked door under a pointed arched head and glazed paired doors to either end. The ends are of three bays. The rear or north-west elevation is plainer. The ground floor has a central oculus and two triple leaded light windows. The first floor has nine leaded light windows; a raised brick band separates the storeys.

INTERIOR: the clock mechanism is dated 1792 with the maker's name, John Grant of Fleet Street. The central wooden staircase is late C19 or early C20 with triple stick balusters set diagonally.