Fineshade Abbey Stables At Sp 723 9770

These stables date to 1848 and were built for the Monckton family of Fineshade Abbey. They are constructed of squared coursed limestone, with ashlar dressings, and have a slate roof. The stables are arranged around a courtyard, with buildings on three sides. The north front has two storeys and a central entrance arch flanked by ranges of casement windows. The archway has a rusticated surround with an armorial device above, and is topped by a central octagonal stone cupola supported by volutes and featuring a clock. The roof is hipped. The west range, linking the north and south ranges, is single-storey and has attached stone piers. On the ground floor of the courtyard elevation is a lean-to with seven bays of segmental arch-head openings; casement windows are above. A datestone is positioned above the arch and flanking casement openings on the courtyard elevation of the west range. The south range is two storeys high with a hipped roof. The fourth side of the courtyard is enclosed by a retaining wall. Fineshade Abbey was founded around 1200, and the site was later purchased in 1546 by Sir Robert Kirkham, who incorporated the abbey ruins into a house. In the early to mid 18th century, the house was purchased and rebuilt by William King, and subsequently passed to the Monckton family before being largely demolished in 1956.