The Riding School

The Riding School, built around 1755, was designed by the French architect Vallin de la Mothc, although the final structure differs significantly from his original designs, likely due to modifications by the young 10th Earl of Pembroke in the mid-18th century. The building was altered before 1800 by James Wyatt. It is constructed of red brick with a slate roof over a basement and features six principal glazing bar windows with brick flat arches, three of which still have their original 1755 glazing bars. The south front, intended as the main facade, has been modified and is made of gault brick, featuring a high parapet above a moulded cornice and stone coping, adorned with four ball finials and a central ramped panel with a vase. There is a slight central double break with a pediment, and each break is finished in ashlar with raised quoins. The central entrance is round-arched, but its lower part was blocked around 1800, leaving a tripartite glazing bar sash. Flanking windows from circa 1800 are glazing bar sashes with shaped 1755 aprons above and carved shell panels below. The main entrance has a carved horse's head keystone. The Riding School is linked to the main house by a single-storey wing built of ashlar over a basement around 1814, which features a crenellated parapet. The north end includes large double garage doors and projecting flanking pavilions. Inside, the building retains a spectators' gallery, fronted with Chinese fretwork and boards inscribed with verses about the mythical origins of horse-mastership.