Harrowden Hall (Wellingborough Golf Club)

This is a country house, now used as a clubhouse for the Wellingborough Golf Club. The core of the building likely dates to the 15th century, but it was largely rebuilt in the early 18th century; a rainwater head is dated 1719. It was possibly designed by Francis Smith for Thomas Wentworth-Watson. The house is constructed of limestone ashlar with a copper roof, and it has a double-pile plan. It is two and three stories high, with an eleven-bay entrance front, the central five bays projecting slightly. The central doorway has double, six-panel doors within a moulded stone surround and a cornice above. Sash windows are found throughout, with glazing bars, moulded stone architraves, and aprons beneath the sills. Flat string courses divide the floors, and rusticated quoins are present at the corners. A moulded stone cornice tops the building, with a lead parapet above. The shallow pitched roofs are largely hidden. Panelled ashlar stacks with moulded stone cornices are situated at the ends of the house. Side elevations mirror the entrance front with sash windows. The garden front is similar in design, with eleven bays and a shallow projection for the central five. The central entrance features part-glazed doors with a semi-circular flight of steps. The interior includes a panelled entrance hall, office, and ladies’ cloakroom, along with rooms facing the garden, all with 18th-century fielded panelling and matching doors. The entrance hall features a marble fireplace with a heraldic overmantel. The main staircase has quarter landings around an open well and features three turned and fluted balustrades per tread. Wall paintings on the staircase walls are attributed to Lanscroon, in the style of Verrio. The “Vaux room” and other rooms facing the garden on the first and second floors contain 18th-century fielded panelling, matching doors, and some bolection moulded fireplace surrounds. Evidence of an earlier house is visible within the cellars. The property is part of a group that includes cottages, a shop, changing rooms, and other ancillary buildings, along with a gatepier. It forms part of a formal landscape, including gates, gatepiers, railings, walls, and a summer house extending approximately 300 metres north, south, east, and west of the main house. Statues are located approximately 30 metres northeast and southeast, another approximately 60 metres northeast, and steps are found 10 metres east. Gates, gatepiers, and railings extend approximately 300 metres east of the hall. The gardens have a separate heritage designation as a Historic Park and Garden of Grade II*.