Dinton Hall

Dinton Hall is a country house dating back to around 1500, with substantial rebuilding in the late 16th century, alterations in the 17th century, and further work in 1855-1857. The house is constructed of rubble stone, brick, and has old tile roofs. It has a roughly “H” shaped layout with wings extending to the south and service ranges to the east, fronting the churchyard.

The north front is the main block, with four gabled bays, each containing two arched, leaded windows. A Jacobean style porch was added in 1855, replacing windows with niches above. The brickwork is primarily late 16th century. Upper-floor windows are flanked by broad Doric pilasters, appearing as stone due to cement dressing. A cornice sits above the pilasters, followed by gables with stone coping and finials. Oval recesses are positioned between the first and second, and third and fourth gables. Some ground-floor windows are positioned lower and serve as staircase windows. Behind the front lie eight diagonally set flues, three on each side, and the outer sections are diagonally set, with the inner two square. A stone gabled bay to the west features a cross casement window on the ground floor and a five-light, 17th-century mullioned attic window with a cornice. A two-bay range beyond is believed to have been a chapel. The service range to the east features a five-bay ground-floor colonnade and four four-light stone mullioned upper windows, topped by four gables. The south front has a seven-bay main block with stone cross casement windows, an arched entrance to the right, a band course, and a moulded cornice. Four hipped dormers light the attic. The left wing has an ashlar bay window, and a five-light mullioned attic window with a cornice. The right, or east wing features two cross casements, beyond which are brick service blocks, largely representing the 1855-1857 alterations, with hopper heads dated 1857, replacing earlier 18th-century sash windows. Numerous chimneys are set diagonally.

The interior mainly dates from 1855 onwards, featuring two Jacobean style staircases and extensive panelling. The northwest projecting wing’s cellar contains corbelled supports for a hearth and chimney breast, dating back to circa 1500, and consisting of four vertical partitions and three shelves dividing the space into 12 niches or square recesses. The partitions are coved and have moulded medieval corbels at the top and bottom. On the first floor, a four-centred arched fireplace with moulded jambs and a 17th-century carved surround faces south. While some 18th-century panelling exists in minor rooms, the majority of the interior is 19th century. The north front contains 16th-century Flemish pictorial and armorial glass, and medieval English stained glass. Originally rebuilt around 1500 for Archbishop Warham, the house was later owned by the Regicide Simon Mayne, who died in the Tower of London in 1661.