Barrow Hall Stables

Summary

Stable block, likely to have been constructed in around 1808-1809, altered in the C20.

Reasons for Designation

The former Barrow Hall stable range, constructed in around 1808-1809 is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural Interest:

* the stable range is architecturally accomplished and features good-quality detailing intended to reflect the prestige of the Barrow Hall estate;

* the building retains its statement belfry clock-tower facing into the yard and many of its original fittings including internal doors, windows and cast-iron horse stalls with ball finials.

Historic Interest:

* the building is a good survival of an early C19 stable range and demonstrates the effort and expense that was afforded to the stables of wealthy households during the period;

* despite the loss of Barrow Hall itself and some of the stable’s historic context, it nevertheless is a good survival of the early-C19 period of renovations to the Barrow Hall estate by the Beaumont family.

History

The dwelling now known as Barrow House once formed part of the Barrow Hall estate and was constructed as a coach house, carriage storage and stable range. Barrow Hall was owned by the Beaumont family and was largely rebuilt in 1808-1809, with an older house on the site possibly incorporated into the new building. It is likely that the former coach house, carriage house range and stable block were constructed during this period of rebuilding, with the buildings shown in their current configuration on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1882.

In 1862 a local newspaper article noted the sale of the Barrow Hall estate which was described as having ‘…two, four-stalled stables with a bed-room over; two loose boxes; two coach-houses, for four carriages…’. It would appear that the stables at Barrow House were one of two separate ranges which formed part of the estate and originally contained four stalls and two loose boxes for horses.

At an unknown date, alterations were made to the stable range which included the insertion of a large, double door opening into the centre of the west elevation, likely into one of the former loose boxes. Remains of a segmental brick arch are still visible and indicate that there was another door originally at the centre of the building to match the others which survive. In 1956 a fire broke out at the adjacent Barrow Hall, damaging much of the interior and the building was subsequently demolished. In the early C21 the south gable end of the stables became unstable and was partially rebuilt with some blockwork inserted.

Details

Stable block, likely to have been constructed in around 1808-1809, altered in the C20.

MATERIALS: constructed of brick with a tiled roof.

PLAN: the stables are a linear range running north to south, partly enclosing a yard directly to the west.

EXTERIOR: the stables have a tiled gable roof and dentilled cornice. The building faces into the yard with a central timber belfry with leaded roof and weathervane above. The belfry contains a clock on its west elevation, visible from the yard. Directly below, the west elevation contains a large, inserted entrance with double timber plank doors. The remains of an arch can be seen in the brickwork immediately to the north and indicates there was originally a door in this location to match the others on this elevation. To both the north and south of the later entrance is a timber door under a brick segmental arch and a lunette window with timber frames. At first floor level there are three, regularly spaced window openings with timber frames under segmental arches.

The south elevation of the stables had no window or door openings but does have ventilation openings at the centre. A C20, external brick stack is situated at the east end of the gable.

The east elevation of this range is unpainted brick and has three window openings at ground floor with blue brick sills and the frames boarded. There are also cast-iron ventilation grates across this elevation.

The north elevation of the stables is blind but has an infilled window opening at first floor under a segmental arch.

INTERIOR: the stables contain four original timber stalls at their north end with cast iron railings and posts with ball finials. The stalls retain their cobbled flooring with cast-iron drainage channels, with flagstone flooring to the west of the stalls. The stalls contain fixed, iron hay racks and water troughs at the east end. Fixed iron hoops for tethering the horses survive within the stalls, on both the posts and the hay racks. A hoop with star shaped plate survives on the north wall. A chamfered beam with run out stops running west to east supports the first floor, and is identical to beams in the two rooms to the south. To the south, the central room has an altered opening and is likely to be one of the former loose boxes. Two transom and mullion windows are situated on the rear (east) wall. There is a cast iron feature on the east wall which may have provided some heating to this room and has a cast-iron plate on the external wall with moulded arched head. The room to the south has been altered with a later brick partition inserted though some original cobbled flooring and drainage has been retained. This room appears to be the location of the other loose box. There is a window within this room on the east wall. Original timber doors with cast-iron latches and hinges survive between the rooms.

On the first floor is a loft which would have contained accommodation for the groomsmen, access to the belfry and possibly a hayloft. The loft retains much of its original principal rafter roof construction, though the battens appear to be later replacements and there has been some rebuilding at the south end. The south room of the loft is accessed via an original six panelled door and contains some concrete blockwork inserted during the stabilisation works in the C21. To the north are three further rooms with the central room containing an opening in the roof to access the belfry and weighted clock mechanism. The room to the north has a central principal rafter truss spanning the room supporting a ridge piece. There is a trap door in the north end of the room, with the infilled opening on the north gable wall possibly a taking in door for the hayloft.

Sources

Websites
Derbyshire County Council Historic Environment Record, 'Barrow Hall and associated outbuildings MDR12663', accessed 28 August 2024 from https://her.derbyshire.gov.uk/Monument/MDR12663

Other
First edition Ordnance Survey map, 1882.
The Surrey Comet, 27 September 1862.

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