Kirby Hall (That Part In Bulwick Civil Parish)

Country house built between 1570–75, probably by master mason Thomas Thorpe for Sir Humphrey Stafford, and completed 1576–83 for Sir Christopher Hatton I. The building was probably modified by Henry Thorpe in the early 17th century for Sir Christopher Hatton II, and altered 1638–40 in the style of Inigo Jones, probably by Nicholas Stone, for Sir Christopher Hatton III.

The house is constructed of squared coursed limestone with ashlar dressings and a slate roof, arranged to a courtyard plan. It is two storeys with an attic storey.

The entrance front, dating to 1638–40, comprises a 13-window range. The centre three bays break forward as a three-storey porch, with the centre bay occupied by an attic storey. The central arch-headed opening is flanked by niches. A similar opening at first floor level features a keyblock and panelled pilasters and gives access to a balcony with plain iron balustrade. Flanking window openings have moulded architraves and cornice with a pulvinated frieze above. Three second-floor windows have plain stone surrounds, and the attic parapet contains two similar openings with a circular stone dial between them. The centre three bays of each range flanking the porch break forward slightly. All ground-floor windows have segmental arch heads and moulded stone eared architraves, some with leaded casements and iron grilles. First-floor window openings are similar with square heads having moulded cornice and pulvinated frieze. End bays have arch-headed door openings at first floor with balconies similar to those on the porch. Pediments over these doors have ball finials and supporting volutes with open roundels. Remains of similar pedimented treatment are visible at the centre of each range flanking the porch. Ground and first floors of the porch are rusticated ashlar; the second floor has similar quoins. Moulded frieze and cornice run between floors and below the parapet. Parapets to the porch and flanking ranges have turned balusters. End bays have ashlar stacks with rusticated bases and shafted flues. Attached to the ends of the entrance front are walls forming a forecourt. These contain three elaborate gateways: the central gateway has frosted rustication, a broken pediment with cartouche, niches at the sides, and sections of balustrading either side beyond. The side gates have coping over the overthrow and side niches, with merlons on top.

The garden front to the right of the entrance front comprises two sections: the left portion dates to the 1570s and the right to the 1580s. It is an irregular 18-window range of mainly four-, six- and eight-light stone mullion and transom windows, some with leaded lights, others blocked. One bay to the far left has a similar first-floor balcony to the porch and corresponding end bays to the entrance front. Bays two to six from the left are grouped in pairs with lateral stacks between; gables between stacks have scrolls, volutes and ball finials. Bays seven and eight from the left are late 17th-century work breaking forward to house the great staircase. Four bays from the right also break forward, with a five-window range between each projection forming a symmetrical elevation. Gables of varying sizes over bays to the right of the garden front display scrolls, volutes and obelisks distinctive of work completed for Sir Christopher Hatton I. The garden front terminates to the far left with a pair of large late 16th-century stone bow windows: 30-lights to the ground floor and 20-lights to the first floor. Six-light attic windows with stepped heads are set in curved gables. The range to the right is now blank, forming the south elevation of the Great Hall, with a lateral stack and door opening on axis of the courtyard with a flight of steps. A brick staircase projection to the right of the Great Hall dates to 1630–40 and gave access to chambers formed over domestic offices, now gone.

The elevation to the left of the main front comprises remains of an irregular nine-window range. The bay at the far right has a similar first-floor door opening with balcony as on the porch and corresponding end bays of the main front.

Courtyard elevations: The rear of the entrance front has a datestone of 1640 referring to remodelling. It comprises a nine-window range with open loggia to the ground floor. The centre of the first floor has an arch-headed door opening giving access to a balcony with a broken pediment above, decorated with a bust by Nicholas Stone. First-floor window openings have moulded and eared architraves with alternate triangular and segmental pediments above. Giant Ionic reeded and decorated pilasters run between bays. The centre three bays extend to the second floor with two windows and a central dial. Supporting scrolls and a balustered parapet are above.

The opposite elevation is the Great Hall and Buttery range. A central two-storey porch, dated 1572 and 1638, has an arch-headed opening flanked by Ionic pilasters. The first-floor opening with balcony is similar to the opposite elevation and is flanked by Corinthian columns and brackets supporting a decorated frieze and cornice. A curved gable above is decorated with seven Corinthian colonettes and strapwork. Three-and-a-half bays flanking the porch have 16- and 20-light stone mullion and transom windows with giant pilasters between. Six-window ranges to the left and right sides of the courtyard have stone mullion windows with giant pilasters between alternate bays. Moulded cornice and decorated frieze are present. Gable abutments in the hall range are similar to those of the hall porch.

Interior: The Great Hall has a barrel-vaulted ceiling with elaborately carved wind braces and ribs. A fragment of a similar ceiling survives in the long gallery in the west range. A 17th-century panelled gallery is situated in the Great Hall. The porch contains two 17th-century plaster ceilings. Two staircases have moulded stone handrails. Various moulded stone fireplace surrounds are present throughout the house.

Kirby Hall passed from the Hattons to the Finch Hattons and ceased to be maintained as a residence from the early 19th century onwards. It is owned by the Winchelsea estate and is in guardianship of English Heritage. Kirby Hall is scheduled as an ancient monument. The garden is included in the English Heritage County Register of Gardens at Grade II*.