Stable block of Middleton Lodge

The stable block at Middleton Lodge, built around 1780, was likely designed by John Carr of York or John Foss of Richmond for George Hartley. Constructed of coursed sandstone with ashlar dressings and Westmorland slate roofs, the block occupies three sides of a courtyard.

The main, south-east facing elevation has a central three-bay range of two storeys, characterized by a ground-floor arcade with continuous archivolts and imposts. The semicircular arches, with ashlar voussoirs, create a carriageway in the centre and recessed blocking containing round-headed windows on either side. Above, three oculi are set within ashlar surrounds. A cornice runs along the top, and the roof is hipped.

The two outer ranges are single-storey, with central round-arched doorways mirroring the ground-floor design, with panelled doors over fanlights to one side and an open tympanum over a board door to the other. A cornice also features here, and the roof is hipped at the outer ends.

The rear of the central block has a rubble upper section above an ashlar plinth, with an ashlar surround to the central archway. An ashlar mounting block sits to the left, and shuttered openings are visible on the first floor. The inner elevation of the left range has a two-storey, three-bay stable section, and a two-storey, two-bay coach-house. A single-storey bothy is also present. The windows throughout are sash windows with ashlar surrounds.

The interior features brick lining and king-post roof trusses. The stables retain their original stalls, divided by cast-iron posts with acorn finials and wrought-iron bars above boarded partitions. Original wrought-iron mangers and enamelled basins are also present. A straight flight of ashlar steps leads to the haylofts, and the courtyard is partially enclosed by a low rubble wall with a central gate and semi-elliptical retaining walls for manure.