Hatherop Castle School

Hatherop Castle School

A former large country house, now a private school. The building dates from the late 17th century but underwent extensive alterations and additions between 1850 and 1856 by architect Henry Clutton, commissioned by Lord de Mauley.

The structure is built of coursed and dressed stone or ashlar with slate roofs. Scattered ashlar chimneys with multiple flues are topped with moulded cornices and blocking courses. The complex forms a very large block of mostly 3 storeys or 2 storeys plus attic, with a prominent 5-storey tower to the south-west. An early 18th-century view by Kip shows the north front with gabled attics at varying heights, a central square embattled tower, and smaller ranges to the east. This arrangement largely survives, though Clutton extended the building to the south and west, and remodelled the service wings to the east.

The north front displays 6 coped gables, some with finials, of varying heights (lower on the left, taller on the right). A central embattled projecting entrance tower of 3 storeys rises between them. The gables contain 3 or 4-light stone mullion windows with dripmould to the left, and 3-light mullion and transom windows with dripmould to the right.

The first floor features 3 pairs of 2-light mullion and transom windows to the left, with an additional single light and single light oriel window beside the porch tower. To the right, a lengthened mullion and transom has been reworked to form 2 pairs of 2-light mullions stacked vertically with blind stone strapwork panels between them. Further right are two 2-light mullion and transom windows, and a central 18-light canted mullion and transom bay (with 2 transoms) serving as the main window to the stairwell. Ground floor windows are 2-light mullion and transom throughout. The central porch tower displays 3-light mullion and transom windows on each upper floor, with a stone coat of arms (possibly de Mauley) above the main entrance. This features a large decorative timber door with moulded round arch and keystone. Projecting moulded string courses mark the divisions between floors, and some ground and first floor windows, particularly to the right and some to the left, feature elaborate Gothick leading.

At the east end of the north front stands an octagonal turret with embattled parapet and slightly stepped stone spire. The top storey of the turret is open, with arched openings with keystones and impost blocks set within rectangular frames.

The old east service range of 2 storeys displays 3 gables each with 3-light stone mullion windows and dripmould, with various stone windows below. A large 19th-century archway further east, topped by a single large gable, provides access to the side and rear. An end square tower of 3 storeys with chamfered corners and partly embattled parapet allows direct access to the Church.

The south facade is entirely 19th-century work. A 3-gabled central block features 2 large canted bays with flanking projecting cross-gabled wings. A large 3-storey canted bay rises to the left and a small canted oriel to the right. The bays carry stone strapwork decoration at parapet level. All windows are set in stone mullion and transom frames, some with Gothick tracery matching the front elevation.

A small colonnade in antis stands between the main block and the left-hand wing, fronting an elaborate arched stone doorway with flanking small round arches and oculi above. The 5-storey tower rises directly behind.

The interior retains much fine 19th-century remodelling in Jacobean style, particularly on the ground floor. The great hall, staircase, and panelled passageway are notable features, with a stone archway matching the style of the south front doorway.

The building is set within a fine garden featuring a low-walled terrace to the west, complete with fountain and "antique" bronze statuary.