Stable Block and Attached Forecourt Walls, Gatepiers and Gates at Merevale Hall

Details

MEREVALE MEREVALE PARK SP29NE 1/136 Stable block and attached 01/11/59 forecourt walls, gatepiers and gates at Merevale Hall GV II* Stable block and attached forecourt walls, gatepiers and gates. Designed originally by Edward Blore between 1835 and 1842, but probably largely by Henry Clutton after 1842. Regular coursed sandstone. Slate roofs have moulded cornices and embattled parapets and gable parapets; stone internal and ridge stacks. U-plan, adjoining Merevale Hall (q.v.), but the buildings together with walls form a courtyard. 2 storeys; entrance front of 3-1-1-1-3 bays. High splay plinth, buttresses and angle buttresses. Projecting central bay has large angle piers and chamfered segmental arch on paired large shield corbels. Coped gable parapet has embattled kneelers with ball finials. Within the outer arch is a large chamfered and moulded arch, with shaped shield panel and 2 small lights above. Segmental arched studded and panelled gates. Plastered 4-centred vault has moulded stone ribs. Flanking bays have small 2-light chamfered mullioned windows, with transoms to ground floor. Embattled internal stacks in angles. Outer 3 bays are set back, and have blind slit windows. On the left return side the site falls away steeply. The rear wing has a 2-tier 13-bay arcade, mostly blind, of segmental-pointed arches to the building and the retaining wall below. Right return side has 2 ground-floor cross-windows and a window above. Rear wing of 9 bays with buttresses and blind slit windows to the forecourt. To the courtyard above the archway is a trefoiled arched panel with coat of arms and small adjoining lights. Small square embattled clock tower to left, of 3 stages with moulded string courses. Ground floor has slit window; second stage has 2-light window with hood mould continued as string course to left; top stage has clock face in square panel with hood mould surround and head stops. To left is a slightly projecting doorway with chamfered jambs, corbelling and segmental pointed arch. Windows to left and above. Buttress to right of arch. Chamfered segmental pointed arched doorway with plank door. Single light to right, and 2-light casement above. Windows throughout have chamfered surrounds and many glazing bars. Left wing is coach houses. Right wing has varied openings, some altered. Interiors not inspected. Attached forecourt walls of varying heights have stone coping. Chamfered gatepiers with ball finials. Large cast iron gates have armorial cartouches. Large gatepier to right has chamfered angle piers, halved Ionic capitals, and lantern. Low wall at right angles to rear extends to gateway with moulded Tudor arch in straight head with sunk spandrels, iron gate and coped top. Forecourt wail runs from this gateway back to the porch of the house. (Merevale gardens are included in HBMCE Register of Parks and Gardens at grade II; Mark Girouard: 'Merevale Hall' Country Life; 13th and 20th March 1969, pp598-60, and 662-665; Mark Girouard: The Victorian Country House; pp65-67)

Listing NGR: SP2953397289

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

309229

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Girouard, M, The Victorian Country House, (1971)
Country Life in 13 March, (1969), 598-60
Country Life in 20 March, (1969), 65-7

Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 42 Warwickshire,

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