Stable Block To Leighton House

Stable block, built at some time between 1842 and 1886; the architect is not known. Alterations in the late C19, with the addition of a belfry perhaps by Frank Wills. Further alterations of the early, and later, C20. Limestone ashlar with hipped slate roofs and two stone ridge stacks to the central range. Built on three sides of a quadrangle, the central coach-house range facing south-west into the courtyard, which is completed by walls and gate piers.

EXTERIOR: The principal, five-bay range is of two storeys with string course, the central bay projecting slightly, with a bracketed gable above the roof line containing a clock in a round stone frame; with this bay, a round-headed carriage arch rising through the two storeys, the side piers rusticated beneath the imposts. To either side, segmental-headed openings, with rectangular sash windows at first-floor level. The carriage arch was partially blocked in the late C19, creating a stone tympanum emblazoned with the Laverton arms: three six-pointed mullets with five garbs in the first quarter, the motto being 'Basis virtutum constantia'. Above, the late-C19 belfry recreates in miniature the form of the aedicule it surmounts, the arch housing the bell. Running above the ground floor of this range, a glass lean-to roof, probably of late-C19 or early-C20 date. The arched openings are now blocked, with timber mullioned casement windows having been inserted, a door incorporated in the central archway. This alteration probably dates from the 1920s. The two flanking single-storey wings are slightly lower than the central range, each having four tall sash windows, with moveable hopper sections above; a low doorway is situated at either end of each wing. The rear of the principal range has sash windows to ground and first floor, a fire door having been inserted to one first-floor window, giving access to a fire-escape; there is a small lean-to extension to the north-west end. The rear elevations of the flanking wings have windows like those on the inner elevations. The coped walls forming the south-west portion of the quadrangle are ramped at either end; the piers having stone brackets, as on the central gable, supporting the cornice. INTERIOR: The interior is much altered, retaining few original features. The ground floor of the central, former coach-house range, has been subdivided, probably in the 1920s, with a passageway created by the insertion of a timber partition. The interior of the north-west wing, accessed from the principal range by a wide, panelled door, remains open, with all traces of stabling have been removed, and a false ceiling inserted. The first floor, reached by stairs at either end of the central range, is less altered than the ground floor, with some surviving original joinery, including window surrounds and panelled doorcases.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: The cobbles in front of the two projecting wings survive, the central approach being asphalted.